1:1 and 1:2 metal complexes of sulfo group-free azo compound having on average at least 1.3 basic water-solubilizing groups

ABSTRACT

Metal-free azo compounds of the formula ##STR1## wherein Ra is an aromatic group or an active methylene coupling component radical as defined in the specification, 
     R t  is an arylazo group or a group of the formula --Y--Z, 
     wherein 
     Y is a direct bond or a bridging radical, and 
     Z is a basic amino or quaternary ammonium group, ##STR2## wherein each of the variables is as defined above or below, x is a direct bond or a bridging radical, 
     x is hydrogen, hydroxy, C 1-4  alkyl, C 1-4  alkoxy, amino or carboxy, 
     ring B is further unsubstituted or further substituted, 
     d is 0, 1 or 2, and 
     n is 0 or 1, 
     with the provisos that (i) the compounds contain an average of at least 1.3 basic water-solubilizing groups, and (ii) the compounds are free of sulfo groups, and 1:1 and 1:2 metal complexes thereof, which metal-free compounds and metal complexes are useful as dyes for leather and paper.

This application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 06/402,407, filed July 27, 1982 and now abandoned, which is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 06/261,318, filed May 7, 1981 and now abandoned, and a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 06/391,261, filed June 23, 1982 and now abandoned, said application Ser. No. 06/391,261 also being a continuation-in-part of said application Ser. No. 06/261,318.

The invention relates to sulpho group-free azo compounds in metal-free, 1:1 metal complex or 1:2 metal complex form, which are useful for dyeing paper and leather.

What is meant by a "1:1 metal complex" is that each molecule of the complex has 1 metal atom bonded to 1 dyestuff molecule or has 2 metal atoms bonded to two dyestuff units, which dyestuff units are joined together by a direct bond or a conventional bridging group; and what is meant by a "1:2 metal complex" is that the complex has 1 atom of metal bonded to two dyestuff units, which dyestuff units can be the same or different but which dyestuff units are part of two separate dyestuff molecules. Unless otherwise indicated, terms such as "a 1:2 metal complex of a compound of the formula . . . " and "a compound in . . . 1:2 metal complex form, the compound being of the formula . . . " includes 1:2 metal complexes having one dyestuff unit of the stated formula, the other dyestuff unit being a further metallizable compound not having the stated formula, as well as 1:2 metal complexes having two dyestuff units (which may be the same or different) of the stated formula.

As utilized herein, the term "dyestuff unit" means a dye molecule not covalently linked to another molecule but that may be joined to another molecule through a complexed metal ion.

The invention provides sulpho group-free azo compounds in metal-free, 1:1 metal complex or 1:2 metal complex form having on average at least 1.3, preferably at least 2, water-solubilizing basic groups, the compounds being of formula I ##STR3## in which Ra is a group of formula Ia, Ib or Ic ##STR4## where the group ##STR5## is a substituted pyrazolone-5, a substituted 5-aminopyrazole, a substituted 2-pyridone or an unsubstituted or substituted β-hydroxynaphthalene group, in which yo is --OH, --NH₂ or C₁₋₄ alkoxy; R_(b) is C₁₋₄ alkyl or a substituted C₁₋₃ alkyl group, R_(c) is --NH₂, a substituted alkyl group, an unsubstituted or substituted alkylamino group, an unsubstituted or substituted phenylamino group, an unsubstituted or substituted naphthylamino group, an unsubstituted or substituted benzothiazolylamino group, an unsubstituted or substituted benzoxazolylamino group or an unsubstituted or substituted benzimidazolylamino group, x and y independently are hydrogen, --OH, C₁₋₄ alkyl, C₁₋₄ alkoxy, --NH₂ or --COOH or

(i) x and y form a --NH--Me--O--, --NH--Me--NH--, --NH--Me--OOC--, --O--Me--O--, --O--Me--NH--, --O--Me--OOC--, --COO--Me--NH--, --COO--Me--O-- or --COO--Me--OOC-- group,

(ii) x and yo form a --NH--Me--O--, --NH--Me--NH--, --O--Me--O--, --O--Me--NH--, --COO--Me--O-- or --COO--Me--NH-- group or

(iii) x and the --OH group of the group of formula Ic form an --O--Me--O--, --NH--Me--O-- or --COO--Me--O-- group, where Me is a metal capable of forming a 1:1 metal complex, a 1:2 metal complex or both a 1:1 and a 1:2 metal complex, n is 0 or 1, d is 0, 1 or 2,

each R_(t) is independently a group of formula Id, Ie, If or Ig ##STR6## where D is a diazo component radical, W is a direct bond or a bridging radical, B₁ is phenylene, naphthylene, tetrahydronaphthylene or ##STR7## each of which may be substituted but is preferably unsubstituted, Z is a basic amino or quaternary ammonium group, a is 1 or 2, b is 1, 2 or a number between 1 and 2 (When b is not an integer, only mixtures of compounds are contemplated. In the individual components of the mixtures, b is 1 or 2 although a minor amount of compounds wherein b has another value, e.g., 0 or 3, may be present.), K is a coupling component radical of the 4-alkyl-2-pyridone, β-hydroxynaphthalene, benzene (e.g., aniline), pyrazole-5 (e.g., 5-aminopyrazole and pyrazolone-5) or acetoacyl series, the coupling component radical being substituted by at least one water-solubilizing basic group; Y is a direct bond or a bridging radical; X is a direct bond or a bridging radical; and R is a group of formula Ih ##STR8## where x, Ra, R_(t) and d are above defined, and each ring B independently may be substituted by one, two or three substituents in addition to x and the --N═N--Ra group (but including any R_(t) and --X--R groups), ring C may be substituted by one, two or three substituents in addition to y (but including any R_(t) and --X--R groups) and ring F may be substituted by up to three substituents (including any --X--R group), with the provisos that:

(1) when in formula I, Ra is a group of formula Ic and d is 1 or 2, at least one R_(t) in formula I is a group of formula Ig and when, in formula Ih, Ra is a group of formula Ic and d is 1 or 2, at least one R_(t) in formula Ih is a group of formula Ig,

(2) when n is 1 and, in formula I, Ra is a group of formula Ia, d is 1 or 2 and at least one R_(t) is a group of formula Ig, the --X--R group is attached to an Ra or R_(t) group and when n is 1 and, in formula Ih, Ra is a group of formula Ia, d is 1 or 2 and at least one R_(t) is a group of formula Ig, the free valence is attached to an Ra or R_(t) group,

(3) when n is 1 and Ra is a group of formula Ia, at least one of x and y on a ring B and ring C that are directly linked through an azo radical is other than hydrogen and C₁₋₄ alkoxy, and

(4) when the compound of formula I is in 1:2 metal complex form with another metallizable compound, the other metallizable compound of the 1:2 metal complex also contains an average of at least 1.3 basic water-solubilizing groups.

Preferably, when the compounds of formula I are in 1:1 metal complex form, Me is copper, chromium, cobalt, iron, nickel, manganese or zinc, more preferably copper, chromium or cobalt; most preferably it is copper. Preferably, copper is Cu²⁺, chromium is Cr²⁺, cobalt is Co²⁺, iron is Fe² +, nickel is Ni²⁺, manganese is Mn²⁺ and zinc is Zn²⁺.

Preferably, when the compounds of formula I are in 1:2 metal complex form, Me is chromium, cobalt, iron or nickel, more preferably chromium, cobalt or iron, and most preferably iron. Preferably, chromium is Cr³⁺, cobalt is Co³⁺, iron is Fe³⁺ and nickel is Ni³⁺.

Preferably, the compounds of formula I, when in 1:2 metal complex form and/or in metal-free form when n is 1, are symmetric, i.e., both dyestuff molecules bonded to the metal ion are the same and/or both "halves" of a molecule linked by X are identical.

The term "water-solubilizing basic group" is well-known in the art and includes quaternary ammonium groups and protonizable primary, secondary and tertiary amino groups, e.g., the Z, Z₂, etc. groups of the compounds of formulae I, II, etc. but not aromatic amino groups such as the --NH₂ groups as x, y or yo. See, for example, column 10 of U.S. Pat. No. 3,852,261 and Belgian Patent No. 733,186.

The complexed metal ion of each 1:2 metal complex contains a negative charge which must be balanced by M.sup.⊕, wherein M.sup.⊕ is hydrogen or an equivalent of a non-chromophoric cation, preferably a monovalent cation such as lithium, sodium, potassium or N.sup.⊕ (R₁₀₁)₄, wherein each R₁₀₁ is independently hydrogen, C₁₋₃ -alkyl or 2- or 3-hydroxy(C₂₋₃ alkyl), with the proviso that at least one R₁₀₁ is hydrogen or C₁₋₃ alkyl.

Further, the invention provides sulpho group-free azo compounds in metal-free, 1:1 metal complex or 1:2 metal complex forming having on average at least 1.3, preferably at least 2, water-solubilizing basic groups, the compounds being of formula II ##STR9## where D, X, W, a, b and rings B and C are above defined, both c's are 1 or 2, d' is 0 or 1, A₁ is --OH or --NH₂, A₃ is hydrogen or --OH or A₁ and A₃ form the group --NH--Me--O-- or --O--Me--O--, where Me is a metal capable of forming a 1:1 metal complex, a 1:2 metal complex or both a 1:1 metal complex and a 1:2 metal complex, A₂ is --OH or --NH₂, R_(t) ' is a group of formula If defined above, Z₂ is a group of the formula ##STR10## where each R_(o) independently is methyl, ethyl, β-hydroxyethyl, benzyl, --CH₂ COCH₃ or ##STR11## provided that not more than one group selected from from benzyl, --CH₂ COCH₃ and ##STR12## is attached and not more than two β-hydroxyethyl groups are attached to a nitrogen atom, R₁₂₇ is methyl or ethyl, m is 0, 1 or 2, p is 1, 2 or 3, and A.sup.⊖ is a non-chromophoric anion, with the provisos that (i) each of the azo radicals on ring B is ortho to A₁ or A₂ or to both A₁ and A₂ and (ii) when an A₁ and A₃ form a metal-containing radical, the --N═N-- radical joining the A₁ - and A₃ -bearing rings is ortho to A₁ and to A₃.

Preferably, compounds of formula II are of formula II' ##STR13## where Z₂, a, W, b, c, D, A₁, A₂, A₃ and d' are as defined above, [(Z₂)_(a) --W]_(b) D-- preferably being (Z₂)_(a) --D₁ -- defined below, R_(t) " is a group of the formula αα or αβ ##STR14## where R₂ is hydrogen, --NO₂, --SO₂ --NH₂, --SO₂ NH--R₁, ##STR15## --NH₂, --SO₂ --NH--(CH₂)_(p) --Z₂, C₁₋₄ alkyl or C₁₋₄ alkoxy, where p is 1, 2 or 3, R₁ is C₁₋₄ alkyl, --C₂ H₄ OH or --CH₂)_(p) --N(R_(1a))₂, where R_(1a) is propyl or butyl, R₆ is C₁₋₄ alkyl, --C₂ H₄ OH or --(CH₂)_(p) --N(R₆ ')₂, where R₆ ' is C₁₋₄ alkyl and R_(6a) is C₁₋₄ alkyl, --C₂ H₄ OH, --(CH₂)_(p) --N(R₆ ')₂ or --C₂ H₄ O--R₆ ', R₃ is hydrogen, --NO₂, --SO₂ NH₂, --SO₂ NH--R₁, ##STR16## --N═N--K₁, --CO--NH--(CH₂)_(p) --Z₂, --NH--CO--(CH₂)_(p) --Z₂, --SO₂ --NH--(CH₂)_(p) --Z₂ or --CH₂ --Z₂,

where R₅ is hydrogen, C₁₋₄ alkyl or C₁₋₄ alkoxy; R₅ ' is C₁₋₄ alkyl; n_(o) is 1, 2 or a number between 1 and 2 and each --CH₂ --Z₂ group independently is attached to ring J or to ring K (When n_(o) is not an integer, only mixtures of compounds wherein n_(o) is 1 or 2 are contemplated although minor amounts of compounds wherein n_(o) is 0 or 3 may be present); R₇ is hydrogen, --OH, C₁₋₄ alkyl, C₁₋₄ alkoxy, --NH--CO--NH₂ or --NH--CO--CH₃ ; R₈ is hydrogen, --NH--CO--(CH₂)_(p) --Z₂ or ##STR17## R₄ is hydrogen, --NO₂, C₁₋₄ alkyl or C₁₋₄ alkoxy; R₁₀₀ is hydrogen, halo, hydroxy, C₁₋₄ alkyl, C₁₋₄ alkoxy or ureido, K₁ is a group of the formula ##STR18## where Wa is --(CH₂)_(s) --, --NHCO(CH₂)_(s) *--, --CONH--(CH₂)_(s) *-- or --SO₂ --NH--(CH₂)_(s) *--, in which the starred C atom is attached to the N atom of the group Z₂ defined above, and s is 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6; R₂₅ is C₁₋₄ alkyl, --COO--R_(25a) or --COOH, where R_(25a) is C₁₋₄ alkyl; R₂₆ is hydrogen, halogen, C₁₋₄ alkyl or C₁₋₄ alkoxy; R₁₂₄ is C₁₋₄ alkyl or --(CH₂)_(p) --Z₂ ; Y_(a) is hydrogen, C₁₋₄ alkyl, --C₂ H₄ OH or --(CH₂)_(p) --Z₂ ; Y_(a) ' is C₁₋₄ alkyl, preferably --CH₃ ; R₉ is C₁₋₄ alkyl or --(CH₂)_(p) --Z₂ ; R₁₀ is hydrogen, C₁₋₄ alkyl, C₁₋₄ alkoxy, --NH--CO--CH₃ or --NH--CO--NH.sub. 2 ; d' is 0 or 1; R₁₂₅ is --(CH₂)_(p) --Z₂, --NH--(CH₂)_(p) --Z₂ or R1 ? ##STR19## where R₁₂₆ is hydrogen, --OH, C₁₋₄ alkoxy, --NH--CO--(CH₂)_(p) --Z₂, --CO--NH--(CH₂)_(p) --Z₂, --SO₂ --NH--(CH₂)_(p) --Z₂, --(CH₂)_(p) --Z₂ or ##STR20## and R₁₅₁ is hydrogen or --(CH₂)_(p) --Z₂ ; X' is one of the groups X₁ to X₄₈ ; X₁ a direct bond, X₂ straight or branched chain C₁₋₄ alkylene, X₃ --CO--, ##STR21## where R₁₁ is halogen, C₁₋₄ alkyl or C₁₋₄ alkoxy, each R₁₂ is independently hydrogen or C₁₋₄ alkyl, preferably hydrogen or methyl, R₁₃ is halogen, --NH--CH₂ --CH₂ --OH or --N(CH₂ --CH₂ OH)₂, and R₁₄ is straight or branched chain C₁₋₄ alkylene, preferably straight chain C₂₋₄ alkylene, and each q is independently 1, 2, 3 and 4, preferably 2, 3 or 4, with the provisos that

(i) the azo radicals on ring B' are ortho to A₁ or A₂ or to both A₁ and A₂,

(ii) when c is 2, d' is 1 and R_(t) " is a group of formula αα, X' is attached to R_(t) " or to ring C',

(iii) X' may be attached to a ring B' bearing an R_(t) " group,

(iv) when a ring B' does not contain an R_(t) " group, the R₁₀₀ on the adjacent ring C' must be hydrogen,

(v) when X' is attached to a ring C', at least one of R₂, R₃ and R₁₀₀ on that ring is hydrogen, and

(vi) when A₁ and A₃ form a metal-containing radical, the A₃ -bearing phenylazo group is ortho to A₁.

Still further the invention provides sulpho group-free azo compounds in metal-free, 1:1 metal complex or 1:2 metal complex form having at least 2 water-solubilizing basic groups per dyestuff unit, the compounds being of formula III ##STR22## in which A₄ is hydrogen, --OH, --NH₂, C₁₋₄ alkoxy or --COOH or A₄ and a hydroxy or amino group on K₂ together form the group of --NH--Me--O--, --NH--Me--NH--, --O--Me--O--, --O--Me--NH--, --COO--Me--O-- or --COO--Me--NH--, where Me is a metal capable of forming a 1:1 metal complex or a 1:2 metal complex or capable of forming both a 1:1 and a 1:2 metal complex, K₂ is a group of the formula ##STR23## where R₁₅₂ is --CH₃ or --COOH, and yo' is --OH or --NH₂, in which R₂₀ is hydrogen or --NO₂, R₂₁ is hydrogen, --NO₂, --NH--CO--(CH₂)_(s) --Z₂, --CH₂ --Z₂, --SO₂ --NH--(CH₂)_(s) --Z₂, --SO₂ --NH₂, --CO--CH₂ --Z₂, --CO--NH--(CH₂)_(s) --Z₂, ##STR24## R₂₂ is hydrogen, --NO₂, --SO₂ --NH₂, --SO₂ --N(R_(22a))₂, --SO₂ --NH--(CH₂)_(s) --OH, --CH₂ --Z₂, --SO₂ --NH--(CH₂)_(s) --Z₂, --CO--NH--(CH₂)_(s) --Z₂, --NH--CO--(CH₂)_(s) --Z₂, ##STR25## where R_(22a) is C₁₋₄ alkyl, R₂₃ is hydrogen or --CH₃, T is ##STR26## --CO--NH₂, --NH₂, --N(CH₃)₂, --N.sup.⊕ (CH₃)₃ A.sup.⊖ or --CN, where Z_(o) is --S--, --O--, or ##STR27## where R'₃₅ is hydrogen, C₁₋₄ alkyl or --CH₂ --COO--R_(35a), where R_(35a) is C₁₋₄ alkyl, R₂₅ is hydrogen, C₁₋₄ alkyl, --C₂ H₄ OH, --(CH₂)_(p) --Z₂, benzyl, ##STR28## --(CH₂)₃ OCH₃, ##STR29## where R_(24a) is C₁₋₄ alkyl, preferably --CH₃, R₂₅ is C₁₋₄ alkyl, --COO--R_(25a) or --COOH, where R_(25a) is C₁₋₄ alkyl, s is 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6, R₂₈ is hydrogen, C₁₋₄ alkyl, C₁₋₄ -alkoxy or halogen, R₂₉ is hydrogen, C₁₋₄ alkyl, C₁₋₄ -alkoxy, halogen, --NH--(CH₂)_(s) --Z₂ or --NH--C₂ H₄ OH, each R₃₀ independently is hydrogen or C₁₋₄ alkyl, R₃₂ is hydrogen, ##STR30## R₁₅₃ is C₁₋₄ alkyl, where d', Z_(o), Wa and R₅ are defined above, and R₃₃ is hydrogen, halogen, C₁₋₄ alkyl, C₁₋₄ -alkoxy, --SO₂ NH₂ or --SO₂ N(CH₃)₂ ; with the provisos that

(i) R₂₀ and R₂₁ cannot both be --NO₂,

(ii) R₂₁ and R₂₂ cannot be the same group unless R₂₁ and R₂₂ are both hydrogen,

(iii) when R₂₁ and R₂₂ are both hydrogen, R₂₀ cannot be --NO₂,

(iv) at least one of R₂₀, R₂₁, R₂₂ and R₂₃ must be hydrogen, and

(v) when K₂ is a group of the formula ##STR31## at least one of R₂₁ and R₂₂ must contain at least one Z₂ group.

Still further the invention provides sulpho groupfree azo compounds in metal-free, 1:1 metal complex or 1:2 metal complex form having at least 2 water-solubilizing basic groups, the compounds being of formula IV ##STR32## in which A₁ is --OH or --NH₂, and A₅ is --OH, C₁₋₄ alkoxy or --COOH or A₁ and A₅ together form the group --NH--Me--OOC--, --NH--Me--O--, --O--Me--O-- or --O--Me--OOC--, where Me is a metal capable of forming a 1:1 metal complex, a 1:2 metal complex or both a 1:1 metal complex and a 1:2 metal complex, both e's are 0 or 1, R₆₀ is hydrogen or --NO₂, R₆₁ and R₆₂, independently, are hydrogen, --NO₂, --CH₂ --Z₂, --SO₂ --NH₂, --SO₂ --NH--(CH₂)_(p) --Z₂, --SO₂ --NH--C₂ H₄ OH, --SO₂ --N(R₆₂ ')₂, --CO--NH--(CH₂)_(p) --Z₂, --NH--CO--(CH₂)_(p) -- Z₂, ##STR33## wherein each R₆₂ ' is independently C₁₋₄ alkyl, R₆₃ each is independently --SO₂ --NH--(CH₂)_(p) --Z₂, --CO--NH--(CH₂)_(p) --Z₂, --NH--CO--(CH₂)_(p) --Z₂, ##STR34## or --CH₂ --Z₂, R₆₄ is hydrogen or C₁₋₄ alkoxy, each R₆₅ independently is hydrogen, C₁₋₄ alkyl or C₁₋₄ -alkoxy, p is 1, 2 or 3, q' is 1 or 2, with the proviso that when an R₆₃ is --CO--NH--(CH₂)_(p) --Z₂, q' is 2, K₇ is a group of the formula ##STR35## where R₉, R₁₀, R₂₅ and Z₂ are as defined above, R₆₆ is hydrogen, C₁₋₄ alkyl, --C₂ H₄ OH or --(CH₂)_(p) --Z₂, R₆₆ ' is C₁₋₄ alkyl, Ta is a group of the formula ##STR36## where d, R₁₂₇ and A.sup.⊖ are defined above, T_(1a) is --CN or --CO--NH₂, R₆₇ is --N(CH₃)₂ or --N.sup.⊕ (CH₃)₃ A.sup.⊖, R₆₈ is --CH₂)_(p) --Z₂, --NH--(CH₂)_(p) --Z₂ or ##STR37## where R₇₁ is hydrogen, --OH, C₁₋₄ alkoxy, --NH--CO--(CH₂)_(p) --Z₂, --CO--NH--(CH₂)_(p) --Z₂, --SO₂ --NH--(CH₂)_(p) --Z₂, --(CH₂)_(p) --Z₂ or ##STR38## and R₇₂ is hydrogen or --(CH₂)_(p) --Z₂, R₆₉ is C₁₋₄ alkyl or --(CH₂)_(p) --Z₂, where p and Z₂ are as defined above, with the proviso that at least one of R₆₈ and R₆₉ contains at least one Z₂ group, B₂ is ##STR39## and B₃ is ##STR40## where each R₆₅ independently is hydrogen, C₁₋₄ alkyl or C₁₋₄ alkoxy, and X' is as defined above, with the provisos

(i) that R₆₀ and R₆₁ cannot both be --NO₂,

(ii) that when R₆₁ and R₆₂ are both hydrogen, R₆₀ cannot be --NO₂,

(iii) that R₆₁ and R₆₂ are not the same group unless both are hydrogen,

(iv) that each azo radical on ring B' is ortho to A₁ or A₂ or to both A₁ and A₂, and

(v) that when A₁ and A₅ together from a metal-containing radical, the A₅ -bearing phenylazo group is ortho to A₁.

A group of preferred metal-free azo compounds of formula II' are those of formula IIa ##STR41## in which R_(t) "' is ##STR42## where each R_(2a) independently is hydrogen, --NO₂, --SO₂ NH₂, --SO₂ --NH--CH₃, --SO₂ --N(CH₃)₂, ##STR43## --SO₂ NH--C₂ H₄ OH, --SO₂ --N(C₂ H₄ OH)₂, --SO₂ --N[C₂ H₄ --N(CH₃)₂ ]₂ or --SO₂ --NH--(CH₂)₃ --Z₂, each R_(3a) independently is hydrogen, --NO₂, --SO₂ NH₂, --SO₂ --NH--CH₃, --SO₂ --N(CH₃)₂, ##STR44## --SO₂ NH--C₂ H₄ OH, --SO₂ --N(C₂ H₄ OH)₂, --NH--CO--(CH₂)_(p) --Z₂, --CO--NH--(CH₂)_(p) --Z₂, --CH₃, --OCH₃, --SO₂ --NH--(CH₂)_(p) --Z₂, ##STR45## --N═N--K₁ ' or --CH₂ --Z₂, in which R_(7a) is hydrogen, --OH, --CH₃, --OCH₃, --NHCOCH₃ or --NHCONH₂, R_(8a) is hydrogen, --NHCO--(CH₂)_(p) --Z₂ or ##STR46## n_(o) ' is 1, 2 or an average number between 1.0 and 1.7, inclusive, K₁ ' is ##STR47## in which R_(9a) is --CH₃, --C₂ H₅ or --C₂ H₄ --Z₂, R_(10a) is hydrogen, --CH₃, --OCH₃, --NH--CO--CH₃ or --NH--CO--NH₂, and R₉ ' is hydrogen, --CH₃, --C₂ H₅, n--C₃ H₇, n--C₄ H₉, i--C₃ H₇, i--C₄ H₉, --C₂ H₄ OH or --(CH₂)_(p) --Z₂ ; R_(4a) is hydrogen, --NO₂, --CH₃ or --OCH₃, (Z₂)_(a) --D₁ -- is ##STR48## wherein R₁₅ is hydrogen, --OH, --OCH₃, --CH₃ or Cl, R₁₆ is hydrogen or --CH₃, and each q_(o) is independently 2 to 5, preferably 2 or 3, and all the other symbols are as defined above, with the proviso that the compound contains on average at least 1.3, preferably at least 2, basic water-solubilizing groups.

A further group of preferred metal-free azo compounds of formula II' are those of formula IIb ##STR49## in which R_(t) ^(iv) is ##STR50## where R_(2d) is hydrogen, --OH, --CH₃ or --OCH₃, and R_(100a) is hydrogen, chloro, --CH₃ or --OCH₃, the group X_(a) is meta or para to the azo radical of ring C', and each azo radical on ring B' (three when d' is 1) is ortho to A₁ or A₂ or to both A₁ and A₂, X_(a) is X₁, X₅, X₆, X₇, X₁₀, X₁₁, X₁₂, X₁₆, X₁₇, X₂₂, X₂₅, X₂₆, X₂₇, X₃₀, X₃₁ (wherein q is preferably 2), or one of the following groups: ##STR51## where R_(13a) is Cl, --NH--CH₂ --CH₂ --OH or --N(CH₂ --CH₂ --OH)₂, and all the other symbols have been defined above, with the proviso that the compound contains on average at least 1.3, preferably at least 2, basic water-solubilizing groups.

Preferred compounds of formula IIb are of formula IIc ##STR52## in which X_(b) is X₁, X₁₁, X₁₂, X₁₇, X₂₇, X₂₁ ", X₂ ", X₁₄ ', X₁₉ ', X₁₉ ", X₁₉ "', X₂₀ ', X₂₀ ", X₃₂ ', X₃₄ ', X₃₄ ^(iv), X₃₄ ^(v) or X₃₄ ^(vi), Z₃ is ##STR53## where (Z₃)_(a) --D₁ --D₁ --has the significances of (Z₂)_(a) --D₁ --, but wherein Z₂ is replaced by Z₃, with the provisos that (i) in ring C' the group X_(b) is meta or para to the azo radical and (ii) the compound contains on average at least 1.3, preferably at least 2, basic water-solubilizing groups.

Preferred compounds of formula IIc are symmetric and contain at least 4 basic water-solubilizing groups, more preferably 4-6 such groups.

Preferred azo compounds of formula II' in 1:1 metal complex form wherein c is 1 are of formula IId ##STR54## in which (Z₂)_(a) --D₁ --, R_(t) "', A₂, R_(2a) and R_(3a) are as defined above, A₁ ' is --NH-- or --O--, in ring B' each azo radical is ortho to A₁ ' or A₂ or both A₁ ' and A₂, and Me_(a) is copper, cobalt, iron or chromium, with the provisos that (i) the complex of formula IId contains an average of at least 1.3, preferably at least 2, basic water-solubilizing groups, and (ii) the R_(2a) -bearing phenylazo group is ortho to A₁ '.

Preferred complexes of formula IId are of formula IIe ##STR55## in which R_(t) ^(V) is hydrogen, ##STR56## Me_(c) is copper, cobalt or chromium, preferably copper, R_(2b) is hydrogen, --NO₂ or --SO₂ --NH₂, R_(3b) is hydrogen, --NO₂, --CH₃, --OCH₃, --SO₂ NH₂, --NH--CO--(CH₂)_(p) --Z₃, --CH₂ --Z₃, --SO₂ NH(CH₂)_(p) Z₃, ##STR57## n_(o) " is 1, 2 or an average number between 1.3 and 1.5, inclusive, R_(4b) is hydrogen or --NO₂, and all the other symbols are as defined above, with the provisos that (i) the complex of formula IIe contains an average of at least 1.3, preferably at least 2, basic water-solubilizing groups, and (ii) the R_(2b) -bearing phenylazo group is ortho to the complexed --O-- radical.

Alternatively preferred compounds of formula II' in 1:1 metal complex form wherein c is 2 are of formula IIf ##STR58## in which the symbols are as defined above and the group X_(a) is attached to each ring C' in a meta or para position with respect to the azo radical, with the provisos that (i) the complex of formula IIf contains an average of at least 1.3, preferably at least 2, basic water-solubilizing groups, and (ii) each X_(a) -bearing phenylazo group is ortho to A₁ '.

Preferred complexes of formula IIf are of formula IIg ##STR59## in which the symbols are as above defined, with the provisos that (i) X_(b) is meta or para to the azo radical, (ii) the complex of formula IIg contains an average of at least 1.3, preferably at least 2, basic water-solubilizing groups, and (iii) each X_(b) -bearing phenylazo group is ortho to A₁ '.

Preferred complexes of formula IIg are symmetric and contain at least 4 basic water-solubilizing groups, more preferably 4-6 such groups.

A further group of preferred compounds of formula II' in 1:1 metal complex form are of formula IIh ##STR60## in which (Z₂)_(a) --D₁ --, A₁ ', R_(3a), R_(4a), Me_(a) and X_(a) are as defined above, R₇₀ is hydrogen, methyl or methoxy, the group X_(a) is attached to a meta or para position of ring F' with the provisos that (i) each --N═N--radical on a ring B' is ortho to A₁ ' or A₂ or to both A₁ ' and A₂, (ii) the complex of formula IIh contains an average of at least 1.3, preferably at least 2, basic water-solubilizing groups, and (iii) each R_(3a) -bearing phenylazo group is ortho to A₁ '.

More preferred complexes of formula IIh are of formula IIi ##STR61## in which R_(3e) is hydrogen, ##STR62## R_(4e) is hydrogen or --NO₂, each of the other symbols is as defined above, and X_(b) is in a meta or para position of ring F', with the provisos that (i) each metal complex of formula IIi contains an average of at least 1.3, preferably at least 2, basic water-solubilizing groups, and (ii) each R_(3e) -bearing phenylazo group is ortho to A₁ '. Preferred complexes of formula IIi are symmetric, i.e., both "halves" of the complex joined to X_(b) are identical, and contain at least 4 basic water-solubilizing groups, more preferably 4-6 such groups.

Preferred 1:2 metal complexes of formula II' are those wherein c is 1, especially those of formulae IIj to IIm: ##STR63## in which R₄₀ is hydrogen or (Z₂)_(a) --D₁ --N═N--, Me_(g) is cobalt, iron or chromium, preferably iron, R₄₂ is --(CH₂)_(p) --Z₂, --NH--(CH₂)_(p) --Z₂ or ##STR64## R₄₃ is --CH₃, --C₂ H₅ or --(CH₂)_(p) --Z₂, R₄₄ is hydrogen, --OH, C₁₋₄ alkoxy, --NH--CO--(CH₂)_(p) --Z₂, --CO--NH--(CH₂)_(p) --Z₂, --SO₂ --NH--(CH₂)_(p) --Z₂, ##STR65## or --(CH₂)_(p) --Z₂, R₄₅ is hydrogen or --(CH₂)_(p) --Z₂, R_(2a) ' has a significance of R_(2a) or is --OH or --NH₂, and the other symbols are as defined above, with the provisos that (i) each metal-free azo compound of each 1:2 metal complex contains an average of at least 1.3, preferably at least 2, basic water-solubilizing groups, (ii) each --N═N-- radical on ring T is ortho or para to an --OH or --NH₂ group or to A₁ ' and meta to every other --N═N-- radical on said ring, (iii) the maximum number of --N═N-- radicals on ring T is 3, and (iv) each R_(2a) -bearing phenylazo group attached to an A₁ '-bearing ring is ortho to A₁ '.

Preferred complexes of formula IIj are symmetric and are of formula IIn ##STR66## in which R_(3c) is hydrogen, --NO₂, --CH₃, --OCH₃, --SO₂ --NH₂, --SO₂ NH(CH₂)₃ N(CH₃)₂, --SO₂ NHC₂ H₄ OH, --NH--CO--(CH₂)_(p) --Z₃, --CH₂ --Z₃, --N═N--K₁ ', ##STR67## --SO₂ NH(CH₂)₂ N(CH₃)₂, R_(t) ^(vi) is hydrogen and, where the group (Z₃)_(a) --D₁ --N═N-- has the significance ##STR68## R_(t) ^(vi) may also be ##STR69## and the other symbols are as defined above, with the provisos that (i) each --N═N-- radical on each ring B' is ortho to the --O-- radical and/or the --OH group, (ii) each metal-free azo compound of the 1:2 metal complex contains an average of at least 1.3, preferably at least 2, basic water-solubilizing groups, and (iii) each R_(2b) -bearing phenylazo group is ortho to the complexed --O-- radical.

Preferred complexes of formula IIn are those wherein each R_(3c), when it is an azo group, is in a position other than the 3-position and containing 2-4 basic water-solubilizing groups on each "half" (i.e., on each metal-free azo compound).

Preferred azo compounds of formula III in metal-free form have formula IIIa ##STR70## in which R₂₄ ' is hydrogen, --N(CH₃)₂, --CH₃, --C₂ H₅, n--C₃ H₇, n--C₄ H₉, i--C₃ H₇, i--C₄ H₉, benzyl, --C₂ H₄ OH, --(CH₂)_(m), --Z₂, ##STR71## or --CH₂ --C(CH₃)₂ --CH₂ --N(CH₃)₂, m' is 2 or 3, D₁₀ is ##STR72## R₃₃ ' is --OH, --OCH₃, --OC₂ H₅ or --COOH, R₃₄ is hydrogen, --NO₂, --SO₂ --NH₂ or --CH₂ --Z₂, R₃₅ is hydrogen, --NO₂, --SO₂ NH--(CH₂)₂ --OH, --SO₂ --NH₂, --SO₂ --NH(CH₂)₃ N(CH₃)₂ or ##STR73## and the other symbols are above defined with the provisos (i) that when R₃₅ is 2,4-(bis-(3'-diethylamino)propylamino)-1,3,5-triazin-6-ylamino or --SO₂ --NH--(CH₂)₃ --N(CH₃)₂, at least one of R₂₃ and R₃₄ is other than hydrogen,

(ii) that the azo radical on ring E is in the 3- or 4-position,

(iii) that R₃₄ and R₃₅ are different or both are hydrogen, and

(iv) that the compound of formula IIIa contains at least two-water solubilizing basic groups.

Preferred azo compounds of formula IIIa are of formula IIIb ##STR74## in which R₂₄ " is hydrogen, --CH₃, --C₂ H₅, --C₂ H₄ OH or --(CH₂)_(m), --Z₃, D₁₀ ' is ##STR75## and all the other symbols are above defined, with the provisos that (i) the azo radical on ring E is in the 3- or 4-position, (ii) R₃₄ and R₃₅ are different or both are hydrogen, (iii) when R₃₅ is 2,4-(bis-(3'-diethylamino)propylamino)-1,3,5-triazin-6-ylamino or --SO₂ --NH--(CH₂)₃ --N(CH₃)₂, at least one of R₂₃ and R₃₄ is other than hydrogen, and (iv) the compound of formula IIIb contains at least two basic water-solubilizing groups.

Most preferred azo compounds of formula IIIa are of formula IIIc ##STR76## in which R₂₄ "' is hydrogen, --C₂ H₄ OH, --(CH₂)₃ --N(CH₃)₂, --(CH₂)₃ --N(C₂ H₅)₂ or --(CH₂)₃ --.sup.⊕ N(CH₃)₃ A.sup.⊖, D₁₀ " is ##STR77## Z₅ is --N(CH₃)₂, --N(C₂ H₅)₂, --.sup.⊕ N(CH₃)₃ A.sup.⊖ or ##STR78## and where all the other symbols are above defined, with the provisos that (i) the azo radical on ring E is in the 3- or 4-position, (ii) R₃₄ and R₃₅ are different or both are hydrogen, (iii) when R₃₅ is 2,4-(bis-(3'-dimethylamino)propylamino-1,3,5-triazin-6-ylamino or --SO₂ --NH--(CH₂)₃ --N(CH₃)₂, at least one of R₂₃ and R₃₄ is other than hydrogen, and (iv) the compound of formula IIIc contains at least two basic water-solubilizing groups.

Alternatively preferred compounds of formula III in metal-free form are of formula IIId ##STR79## in which A₄ ' is hydrogen, --OH, --OCH₃ or --COOH, R₂₀ is hydrogen or --NO₂, --R_(21d) is hydrogen, --NO₂, --NH--CO--(CH₂)_(q) --Z₃, --CH₂ --Z₃, --SO₂ --NH₂, --SO₂ --NH--(CH₂)_(q) --Z₃, ##STR80## --CO--NH--(CH₂)_(q) --Z₃ or ##STR81## R_(22d) is hydrogen, --CH₂ --Z₃, --SO₂ --N(CH₃)₂, --NO₂, --SO₂ --NH--(CH₂)_(q) --OH, ##STR82## --SO₂ --NH--(CH₂)_(q) --Z₃, --CO--NH--(CH₂)_(q) --Z₃ or --NH--CO--(CH₂)_(q) --Z₃, K₃ is ##STR83## where T_(z) is ##STR84## or --CN, R_(g) "' is hydrogen, --CH₃, --C₂ H₅, i--C₃ H₇, i--C₄ H₉, n--C₃ H₇, n--C₄ H₉, --C₂ H₄ OH or --(CH₂)_(p) --Z₃, R₅₀ is hydrogen, Cl, --Br, --CH₃ or --OCH₃, R₅₁ is --(CH₂)_(q) --, --NH--CO--(C*H₂)_(q) --, --CO--NH--(C*H₂)_(q) -- or --SO₂ --NH--(C*H₂)_(q) --, R₅₂ is hydrogen, Cl, --Br, --CH₃ or --OCH₃, R₅₃ is hydrogen, --NH--(CH₂)_(q) --Z₃, --NH--C₂ H₄ OH, Cl, --Br, CH₃ or --OCH₃, R₅₄ is hydrogen, CH₂ --N.sup.⊕ (CH₃)₃ A.sup.⊖, ##STR85## R₅₅ is hydrogen, Cl, --Br, --CH₃, --OCH₃, --SO₂ NH₂ or --SO₂ --N(CH₃)₂, and R₁₅₃ ' is n--C₁₋₃ alkyl, with the provisos

(i) that R_(21d) and R_(22d) are not the same unless both are hydrogen,

(ii) that R₂₀ and R_(21d) are not both --NO₂,

(iii) that the starred carbon atoms are attached to the N-atom of the basic or quaternary ammonium group,

(iv) that R₂₀ is not --NO₂ when R_(21d) and R_(22d) are both hydrogen,

(v) that the compound of formula IIId contains at least two basic water-solubilizing groups, and

(vi) when K₃ is a group of formula IIIaf, at least one of R_(21d) and R_(22d) contains at least one Z₃ group.

Preferred compounds of formula IIId are of formula IIIe ##STR86## in which R_(22e) is hydrogen, --CH₂ --Z₅, --SO₂ --NH--(CH₂)_(m') --Z₅, --CO--NH--(CH₂)_(m') --Z₅, --NO₂, --NH--CO--(CH₂)_(a) --Z₅ or ##STR87## m' is 2 or 3, Z₅ is --N(CH₃)₂, --N(C₂ H₅)₂, --.sup.⊕ N(CH₃)₃ A.sup.⊖, ##STR88## K₆ is ##STR89## wherein R₅₆ is --(CH₂)_(m') --, --NH--CO--(C*H₂)_(a) --, --CO--NH--(C*H₂)_(m') -- or --SO₂ NH--(C*H₂)_(m') -- where the starred carbon atoms is attached to the Z₅ group, and all the other symbols are as above defined, with the provisos that (i) the compound of formula IIIe contains at least two basic water-solubilizing groups, and (ii) when K₆ is a group of formula IIId₁, R_(22e) contains at least one Z₅ group.

Preferred azo compounds of formula III in 1:1 metal complex form are of formula IIIf ##STR90## in which R_(21a) is hydrogen, --CH₂ --Z₂, --NH--CO--(CH₂)_(a) --Z₂, --CO--CH₂ --Z₂, --NO₂, --SO₂ --NH₂, --CO--NH--(CH₂)_(m') --Z₂, --SO₂ --NH--(CH₂)_(m') --Z₂ or ##STR91## R_(22a) is hydrogen, --NO₂, --SO₂ --NH₂, --SO₂ --NH--(CH₂)₂ --OH, --CH₂ --Z₂, --NH--CO--(CH₂)_(a) --Z₂, --SO₂ --NH--(CH₂)m'--Z₂ or ##STR92## and the other symbols are defined above, with the provisos (i) that in ring E the azo radical is in the 3- or 4-position,

(ii) that R_(21a) and R_(22a) cannot be the same group unless both are hydrogen, and

(iii) the complex of formula IIIf contains at least two basic water-solubilizing groups.

Preferred 1:1 complexes of formula IIIf are of formula IIIg ##STR93## in which R_(21b) and R_(22b) are independently hydrogen, --CH₂ --Z₃, --NO₂, --SO₂ --NH₂, --NH--CO--CH₂ --Z₃, --SO₂ --NH--(CH₂)_(m') --Z₃ or ##STR94## and the other symbols are as defined above, with the provisos that (i) R_(21b) and R_(22b) cannot be the same group unless both are hydrogen, (ii) the complex of formula IIIg contains at least two basic water-solubilizing groups, and (iii) the azo radical on ring E is in the 3- or 4-position.

More preferred 1:1 complexes of formula IIIf are of formula IIIh ##STR95## in which R_(21c) and R_(22c) independently are hydrogen, --CH₂ --Z₅, --NO₂, --SO₂ --NH₂, --NH--CO--CH₂ --Z₅, --SO₂ --NH--(CH₂)_(m') --Z₅ or ##STR96## R₂₄ "' is hydrogen, --C₂ H₄ OH, --(CH₂)₃ --N(CH₃)₂, --(CH₂)₃ --N(C₂ H₅)₂ or --(CH₂)₃ --N.sup.⊕ (CH₃)₃ A.sup.⊖, and all the other symbols are as defined above, with the provisos that (i) R_(21c) and R_(22c) cannot be the same group unless both are hydrogen, (ii) the complex of formula IIIh contains at least two basic water-solubilizing groups, and (iii) the azo radical on ring E is in the 3- or 4-position.

Alternatively preferred compounds of formula III in 1:1 metal complex form are of formula IIIi ##STR97## in which A₄ " is --O-- or --COO--, --K₅ --O-- is one of the following formulae IIIba to IIIbf ##STR98## and the other symbols are as defined above, with the provisos that (i) R₂₀ and R_(21d) cannot both be --NO₂, (ii) R_(21d) and R_(22d) cannot be the same group unless both are hydrogen, (iii) when R_(21d) and R_(22d) are both hydrogen, R₂₀ must be hydrogen, (iv) the complex of formula IIIl contains at least two basic water-solubilizing groups, and (v) when --K₅ --O-- is a group of formula IIIbf, at least one of R_(21d) and R_(22d) contains at least one Z₃ group.

Preferred complexes of formula IIIi are of formulae IIIk and IIIl ##STR99## in which --O--K₆ -- is ##STR100## or a group of formula IIIbb or IIIbc wherein R₅₁ is R₅₆ and Z₃ is Z₅, where R_(g) ^(iv) is hydrogen, --CH₃ or --(CH₂)₃ --Z₅, and the other symbols are as defined above, with the provisos that (i) the complexes of formula IIIk and IIIl contain at least two basic water-solubilizing groups, and (ii) R_(22e) of the complex of formula IIIl contains at least one Z₅ group.

Preferred azo compounds of formula III in 1:2 metal complex form are symmetric or asymmetric and are of formula IIIm ##STR101## in which each T_(x) independently is ##STR102## and Me_(g) is chromium, iron or cobalt, and all the other symbols are as defined above, with the provisos

(i) that on ring E the azo radical is in the 3- or 4-position,

(ii) that R_(21a) and R_(22a) on the same ring N cannot be the same group unless both are hydrogen, and (iii) each metal-free disazo compound of the 1:2 metal complex contains at least two basic water-solubilizing groups.

Preferably Me_(g) is iron.

Preferred 1:2 complexes of formula IIIm are of formula IIIn and are symmetric or asymmetric, preferably the former, ##STR103## in which each T_(x) ' independently is ##STR104## and all the other symbols are as defined above, with the provisos that (i) the azo radical is in the 3- or 4-position of each ring E, (ii) R_(21b) and R_(22b) on the same ring N cannot be the same group unless both are hydrogen, and (iii) each metal-free disazo compound of the 1:2 metal complex contains at least two basic water-solubilizing groups.

More preferred complexes of formula IIIm are symmetric or asymmetric, preferably symmetric, and are of formula IIIo ##STR105## in which each T_(x) " independently is ##STR106## and all the other symbols are as defined above, with the provisos that (i) the azo radical is in the 3- or 4-position of each ring E, (ii) R_(21c) and R_(22c) on the same ring cannot be the same group unless both are hydrogen, and (iii) each metal-free diazo compound of the 1:2 metal complex contains at least two basic water-solubilizing groups.

Alternatively preferred azo compounds in 1:2 metal complex form are symmetric or assymetric, preferably symmetric, and are of formula IIIp ##STR107## wherein all of the symbols are as defined above, with the provisos that (i) R₂₀ and R_(21d) on the same ring N cannot both be --NO₂, (ii) R_(21d) and R_(22d) on the same ring N cannot be the same group unless both are hydrogen, (iii) when R_(21d) and R_(22d) on the same ring N are both hydrogen, R₂₀ on that ring N must be hydrogen, (iv) each metal-free monoazo compound of the 1:2 metal complex contains at least two basic water-solubilizing groups, and (v) when a --K₅ --O-- is a group of formula IIIbf, at least one of R_(21d) and R_(22d) of the same monoazo compound contains at least one Z₃ group.

More preferred 1:2 complexes of formula IIIp are symmetric or asymmetric, preferably symmetric, and are of formula IIIr or IIIs ##STR108## in which --K₅ '--O-- is a group of formula IIIba, IIIbb or IIIbc wherein any R₅₁ is R₅₆ and Z₃ is Z₅ and all the other symbols are as defined above, with the provisos that (i) each metal-free monoazo compound of the 1:2 metal complex contains at least two basic water-solubilizing groups, and (ii) in the complex of formula IIIs, each R_(22e) contains at least one Z₅ group.

Preferred azo compounds of formula IV in metal-free form are of formula IVa ##STR109## in which A₅ ' is --OH, --OCH₃ or --COOH, preferably --OH or --OCH₃, R_(61a) is hydrogen, --NO₂, --CH₂ --Z₂, --SO₂ --NH--(CH₂)_(p) --Z₂, --SO₂ NH₂, --NH--CO--(CH₂)_(p) --Z₂, ##STR110## R_(62a) is hydrogen, --NO₂, --CH₂ --Z₂, --SO₂ --NH₂, --SO₂ --NH--(CH₂)_(p) --Z₂, --CO--NH--(CH₂)_(p) --Z₂, --NH--CO--(CH₂)_(p) --Z₂, ##STR111## B₂ ' is ##STR112## K₇ ' is one of groups IVaa to IVaf ##STR113## in which R_(9a) is --CH₃, --C₂ H₅ or --C₂ H₄ --Z₂, R_(10a) is hydrogen, --CH₃, --OCH₃, --NH--CO--CH₃ or --NH--CO--NH₂, R_(66a) is hydrogen, --CH₃, --C₂ H₅, n--C₃ H₇, n--C₄ H₉, i--C₃ H₇, i--C₄ H₉, --C₂ H₄ OH or --(CH₂)_(p) --Z₂, R_(68a) is --(CH₂)_(p) --Z₂, --NH--(CH₂)_(p) --Z₂ or ##STR114## R_(69a) is --CH₃, --C₂ H₅ or --(CH₂)_(p) --Z₂, with the proviso that at least one of R_(68a) and R_(69a) contains at least one Z₂ group, R_(71a) is hydrogen, --OH, --OCH₃, --NH--CO--(CH₂)_(p) --Z₂, --CO--NH--(CH₂)_(p) --Z₂, --SO₂ --NH--(CH₂)_(p) --Z₂ or ##STR115## R_(72a) is hydrogen or --(CH₂)_(p) --Z₂, and where all the other symbols are as defined above, with the provisos

(i) that each azo radical on ring B' is ortho to A₁ or A₂ or to both A₁ and A₂,

(ii) that R_(61a) and R_(62a) cannot be the same group unless both are hydrogen,

(iii) that R₆₀ and R_(61a) are not both --NO₂,

(iv) that R₆₀ cannot be --NO₂ when R_(61a) and R_(62a) are both hydrogen, and

(v) that the compound of formula IVa contains at least two basic water-solubilizing groups.

Preferred azo compounds of formula IVa in metal-free form are of formula IVb ##STR116## wherein R_(61b) is hydrogen, --NO₂, --CH₂ --Z₃, --SO₂ --NH--(CH₂)_(m') --Z₃, --NH--CO--(CH₂)_(a) --Z₃ or ##STR117## R_(62b) is hydrogen, --NO₂, --CH₂ --Z₃, --SO₂ --NH₂, --SO₂ --NH--(CH₂)_(m') --Z₃, --CO--NH--(CH₂)_(m') --Z₃, --NH--CO--(CH₂)_(a) --Z₃ or ##STR118## B₂ " is ##STR119## K₇ " is a group of formulae IVba-IVbf ##STR120## where R_(9b) is --CH₃, --C₂ H₅ or --CH₂ CH₂ --Z₃, R_(66b) is hydrogen, --CH₃, --C₂ H₅, --CH₂ CH₂ OH or --(CH₂)_(m') --Z₃, R_(68b) is --(CH₂)_(m') --Z₃, --NH--(CH₂)_(m') --Z₃ or ##STR121## R_(71b) is hydrogen, --OH, --OCH₃, --NH--CO--(CH₂)_(a) --Z₃, --CO--NH--(CH₂)_(m') --Z₃, --SO₂ --NH--(CH₂)_(m') --Z₃ or ##STR122## R_(72b) is hydrogen or --(CH₂)_(m') --Z₃, with the proviso that at least one of R_(71b) and R_(72b) contains at least one Z₃ group, and all the other symbols are as defined above, with the provisos that

(i) R_(61b) and R_(62b) cannot be the same group unless both are hydrogen,

(ii) R₆₀ and R_(61b) are not both --NO₂,

(iii) R₆₀ is not --NO₂ when R_(61b) and R_(62b) are both hydrogen, and

(iv) the compound of formula IVb contains at least two basic water-solubilizing groups.

Alternatively preferred azo compounds of formula IV in metal-free form are of formula IVc ##STR123## wherein each R_(63a) is independently --SO₂ --NH--(CH₂)_(m') --Z₂, --CO--NH--(CH₂)_(m') --Z₂, --NH--CO--(CH₂)_(a) --Z₂, --CH₂ --Z₂ or ##STR124## each R_(65a) independently is --CH₃, --C₂ H₅, --OCH₃ or --OC₂ H₅, R_(64a) is hydrogen or --OCH₃, preferably hydrogen, k is 1 or 2, with the proviso that when an R_(63a) is --CO--NH--(CH₂)_(m') --Z₂, k must be 2, R_(61a) ' is hydrogen, --NO₂, --NH--CO--(CH₂)_(a) --Z₂ or ##STR125## R_(62a) ' is hydrogen --NO₂, --SO₂ --NH₂, --SO₂ --N(CH₃)₂, --SO₂ --N(C₂ H₅)₂, --SO₂ --NH--C₂ H₄ OH, --SO₂ --NH--(CH₂)_(m') --Z₂, or when R₆₀ and R_(61a) ' are both hydrogen, it may also be --CO--NH--(CH₂)_(m') --Z₂, --NH--CO--(CH₂)_(a) --Z₂ or ##STR126## and all other symbols are as above defined, with the provisos (i) that R₆₀ and R_(61a) ' are not both --NO₂,

(ii) that R_(61a) ' and R_(62a) ' cannot be the same group unless both are hydrogen,

(iii) that R₆₀ is not --NO₂ when R_(61a) ' and R_(62a) ' are both hydrogen, and

(iv) that the compound of formula IVc contains at least two basic water-solubilizing groups.

Preferred azo compounds of formula IVc are of formula IVd ##STR127## in which each R_(65b) independently is --CH₃ or --OCH₃, R_(61a) " is hydrogen, --NO₂, --NH--CO--CH₂ 13 Z₃ or ##STR128## R_(62a) " is hydrogen, --NO₂, or --SO₂ --NH₂, --SO₂ --N(CH₃)₂, --SO₂ --NH--(CH₂)_(m') --Z₃, --SO₂ --NH--C₂ H₄ OH, or when R₆₀ and R_(61a) " are both hydrogen, R_(62a) " may also be --CO--NH--(CH₂)_(m') --Z₃, --NH--CO--CH₂ --Z₃ or ##STR129## all the other symbols are as above defined, and the same provisos apply as to compounds of formula IVc.

Preferred azo compounds of formula IV in 1:1 metal complex form are of formula IVe ##STR130## wherein A₅ " is --O-- or --COO--, preferably --O--, and all other symbols are as defined above, with the provisos

(i) that R_(61a) and R_(62a) cannot both be the same group unless both are hydrogen,

(ii) that R₆₀ and R_(61a) are not both --NO₂,

(iii) that R₆₀ is not --NO₂ when R_(61a) and R_(62a) are both hydrogen,

(iv) that the A₅ "--bearing phenylazo group is ortho to A₁ ', and

(v) that the metal complex of formula IVe contains at least two basic water-solubilizing groups.

Most preferred 1:1 complexes of formula IVe are of formula IVf ##STR131## in which all the symbols are as defined above, with the provisos (i) that R_(61b) and R_(62b) cannot be the same group unless both are hydrogen,

(ii) that R₆₀ and R_(61b) are not both --NO₂,

(iii) that R₆₀ is not --NO₂ when R_(61b) and R_(62b) are both hydrogen,

(iv) that the R₆₀ -bearing phenylazo group is ortho to A₁ ', and

(v) that the metal complex of formula IVf contains at least two basic water-solubilizing groups.

Preferably, Me_(c) is copper.

Alternatively preferred azo compounds of formula IV in 1:1 metal complex form are of formula IVg ##STR132## in which all the symbols are as above defined, with the provisos (i) that R₆₀ and R_(61a) ' are not both --NO₂, (ii) that R_(61a) ' and R_(62a) ' are not the same group unless both are hydrogen, (iii) that R₆₀ is not --NO₂ when R_(61a) ' and R_(62a) ' are both hydrogen, (iv) that the A₅ "-bearing phenylazo group is ortho to A₁ ', and (v) that the metal complex of formula IVg contains at least two basic water-solubilizing groups.

Preferred complexes of formula IVg are of formula IVh ##STR133## in which all the symbols are as above defined and the provisos correspond to those given for formula IVg.

Preferred azo compounds of formula IV in 1:2 metal complex form are of formula IVi ##STR134## in which Me is chromium, iron or cobalt and all the other symbols are as above defined, with the provisos (i) that R_(61a) and R_(62a) are not the same unless both are hydrogen, (ii) that R₆₀ and R_(61a) are not both --NO₂, (iii) that R₆₀ is not --NO₂ when R_(61a) and R_(62a) are both hydrogen, (iv) that each A₅ "-bearing phenylazo group is ortho to A₁ ', and (v) that each metal-free azo compound of the 1:2 metal complex contains at least two basic water-solubilizing groups. Provisos (i)-(iii) apply to each metal-free azo compound separately.

Preferred 1:2 complexes of formula IVi are of formula IVj ##STR135## in which all the symbols are as above defined with the provisos (i) that R_(61b) and R_(62b) are not both the same unless both are hydrogen, (ii) that R₆₀ and R_(61b) are not both --NO₂, (iii) that R₆₀ is not --NO₂ when R_(61b) and R_(62b) are both hydrogen, (iv) that each R₆₀ -bearing phenylazo group is ortho to the complexed --O-- radical, and (v) that each metal-free azo compound of the 1:2 metal complex contains at least two basic water-solubilizing groups. Provisos (i)-(iii) apply to each metal-free azo compound separately.

Alternatively preferred compounds of formula IV in 1:2 metal complex form are of formula IVl ##STR136## in which all the symbols are as above defined, with the provisos that (i) R₆₀ and R_(61a) ' are not both --NO₂, (ii) R_(61a) ' and R_(62a) ' are different unless both are hydrogen, (iii) R₆₀ is not nitro when R_(61a) ' and R_(62a) ' are both hydrogen, (iv) each A₅ "-bearing phenylazo group is ortho to A₁ ', and (v) each metal-free azo compound of the 1:2 metal complex contains at least two basic water-solubilizing groups. Provisos (i)-(iii) apply to each metal-free azo compound separately.

More preferred compounds of formula IVl are of formula IVm ##STR137## in which all the symbols are as above defined and the provisos correspond to those given for formula IVl.

The compounds of formulae I, II, III and IV and every subscope thereof preferably contain 2-8, more preferably 2-6 and most preferably 2-4, basic water-solubilizing groups (as defined above), except where otherwise indicated. In the case of 1:2 metal complexes, these preferences apply to each metal-free azo compound of the complexes.

In formulae I and II, each X is preferably X', more preferably X_(a) and most preferably X_(b). In formula II', X' is preferably X_(a) and most preferably X_(b). In formulae IIb, IIf, IIh, IVa, IVe and IVi, X_(a) is preferably X_(b). X₁₄ is preferably X₁₄ ' or X₁₄ ". In X₁₅, the --NH--CO-- radicals are preferably meta to each other.

In formulae I, II, III and IV and each subscope thereof, Z is preferably Z₂, more preferably Z₃ and most preferably Z₅ ; Z₂ is preferably Z₃ and most preferably Z₅ ; and Z₃ is preferably Z₅. Unless otherwise indicated, in each compound the Z's are preferably the same, the Z₂ 's are preferably the same, the Z₃ 's are preferably the same and the Z₅ 's are preferably the same. In Z₂ and Z₃, any p is preferably 2 or 3. Each Z, Z₂, Z₃ and Z₅ group that is not quaternized may be in free base form or in acid addition salt form with a non-chromophoric acid of the formula HA. Examples of HA are the acids corresponding to the anions A.sup.⊖.

Unless otherwise indicated, each alkyl is independently preferably methyl or ethyl, each alkoxy is independently preferably methoxy or ethoxy, and each alkylene is independently preferably --(CH₂)₂ --, --(CH₂)₃ -- or --(CH₂)₄ --.

Each halo is independently fluoro, chloro or bromo, preferably chloro.

In formulae I, II, III and IV and each subscope thereof, preferably no two azo groups on one ring are ortho to each other and preferably no two 1,3,5-triazinylamino groups on one ring are ortho to each other.

In the synthesis of the compounds of formulae II and IV and each subscope thereof, two or three diazonium compounds are coupled onto a compound of the formula ##STR138## The position of each azo group on said ring in the resulting compounds of formulae II and IV depends on various factors including the coupling order. Mixtures of isomers are sometimes obtained. However, each azo group must be ortho to at least one of A₁ and A₂ ; no azo group may be meta to both of them. All of the possible isomers are embraced by formulae II and IV and the subscopes thereof. The preferred coupling orders are set forth in the examples.

The synthesis of the compounds of formula II and each subscope thereof having one or more groups of the formula ##STR139## involves the chloromethylation of a compound of the formula ##STR140## or a group of the formula ##STR141## preferably the former. The chloromethylation tends to give a mixture of compounds rather than a single compound. The components of the mixture contain one or two chloromethyl groups although a minor amount of compound containing no or three chloromethyl groups may be present. Accordingly, the subsequent reaction of the chloromethylated mixture of compounds with ammonia or an amine gives a mixture of compounds which has been found to contain an average of at least 1.3 basic water-solubilizing groups on each benzothiazolylphenyl group. The components of the mixture contain one or two basic water-solubilizing groups although a minor amount of compound containing no or three such groups may be present.

In formula II' and each subscope thereof, one member of each of the following pairs of variables on the same ring is preferably hydrogen: (1) R₂ and R₃, (2) R_(2a) and R_(3a), (3) R_(2d) and R_(3a), (4) R_(2b) and R_(3b), (5) R_(2b) and R_(3c), (6) R_(2a) ' and R_(3a), etc.

In formulae IIa and IId, one of R_(2a) and R_(3a) on the same ring is preferably hydrogen and the one that is other than hydrogen is preferably in a meta or para position; any p in a Z₂ group or in a --(CH₂)_(p) -- radical linking a Z₂ group to a nitrogen atom is preferably 2 or 3; R_(8a) is preferably meta or para to the azo radical; R₂₆ is preferably hydrogen, chloro, methyl or methoxy; K₁ ', when a 5-hydroxypyrazole coupling component radical, preferably has no or one --Wa--Z₂ group which, when present, is preferably in a meta or para position of the phenyl group; (Z₂)_(a) --D₁ -- is preferably a methylbenzothiazolylphenyl group; and Me_(a) is preferably copper, cobalt or chromium and most preferably copper. Each preference is independent of the others and may be combined with one or more of the others.

In formulae IIb and IIf, one of R_(2d) and R_(3a) on the same ring is preferably hydrogen and the one that is other than hydrogen is preferably in a meta or para position; the compounds are preferably symmetrical with respect to the X_(a) radical, i.e., both "halves" of the molecule joined by X_(a) are preferably the same; X_(a) is preferably X_(b) ; each Me_(a) is preferably copper, chromium or cobalt and more preferably copper; and the other preferences are the same as those set forth in the preceding paragraph for formulae IIa and IId. Each preference is independent of the others and may be combined with one or more of the others.

In formulae IIc and IIg, any p in a Z₃ group is preferably 2 or 3; each (Z₃)_(a) --D₁ -- is preferably a methylbenzothiazolylphenyl group; each Me_(c) is preferably copper; and the compounds are preferably symmetrical with respect to the X_(b) radical. Each preference is independent of the others and may be combined with one or more of the others.

In formula IIe, one of R_(2b) and R_(3b) on each ring is preferably hydrogen and the one that is other than hydrogen is preferably in a meta or para position; any p in a Z₂ or Z₃ group or in a --(CH₂)_(p) -- radical linking a Z₂ or Z₃ group to a nitrogen atom is preferably 2 or 3; K₁ ', when a 5-hydroxypyrazole coupling component radical, preferably has no or one --Wa--Z₂ group which, when present, is preferably in a meta or para position of the phenyl group; R₂₆ is preferably hydrogen, chloro, methyl or methoxy; (Z₃)_(a) --D₁ -- is preferably a methylbenzothiazolylphenyl group; and Me_(c) is preferably copper. Each preference is independent of the others and may be combined with one or more of the others.

In formula IIh, each R_(3a) is preferably in a meta or para position; each R₇₀ is preferably hydrogen; any p in a Z₂ group or in a --(CH₂)_(p) -- radical linking a Z₂ group to a nitrogen atom is preferably 2 or 3; any R_(8a) is preferably meta or para to the azo radical; any K₁ ', when a 5-hydroxypyrazole coupling component radical, preferably has no or one --Wa--Z₂ group which, when present, is preferably in a meta or para position of the phenyl group; any R₂₆ is preferably hydrogen, chloro, methyl or methoxy; each (Z₂)_(a) --D₁ -- is preferably a methylbenzothiazolylphenyl group; X_(a) is preferably X_(b) ; the complexes are preferably symmetrical with respect to the X_(a) radical, i.e., the two "halves" of the molecule joined by X_(a) are preferably the same; and each Me_(a) is preferably copper, chromium or cobalt and more preferably copper. Each preference is independent of the others and may be combined with one or more of the others.

In formula IIi, each R_(3e) is preferably in a meta or para position; any p in a Z₂ or Z₃ group or in a --(CH₂)_(p) -- radical linking a Z₂ or Z₃ group to a nitrogen atom is preferably 2 or 3; any K₁ ', when 5-hydroxypyrazole coupling component radical, preferably has no or one --Wa--Z₂ group which, when present, is preferably in a meta or para position of the phenyl group; any R₂₆ is preferably hydrogen, chloro, methyl or methoxy; each (Z₃)_(a) --D₁ -- is preferably a methylbenzothiazolylphenyl group; the complexes are preferably symmetrical with respect to the X_(b) radical; and each Me_(c) is preferably copper. Each preference is independent of the others and may be combined with one or more of the others.

In formulae IIj-IIm, R_(2a) ' is preferably hydroxy or amino and more preferably hydroxy and R_(3a) on the A₁ '-bearing ring is preferably hydrogen; one of R_(2a) and R_(3a) on every other ring is preferably hydrogen and the one that is other than hydrogen is preferably in a meta or para position; any p in a Z₂ group or in a --(CH₂)_(p) -- radical linking a Z₂ group to a nitrogen atom is preferably 2 or 3; any R_(8a) is preferably meta or para to the azo radical; any K₁ ', when a 5-hydroxypyrazole coupling component radical, preferably has no or one --Wa--Z₂ group which, when present, is preferably in a meta or para position of the phenyl group; any R₂₆ is preferably hydrogen, chloro, methyl or methoxy; each (Z₂)_(a) --D₁ -- is preferably a methylbenzothiazolylphenyl group; R₂₅ is preferably methyl; R₄₂ is preferably ##STR142## wherein, more preferably, one of R₄₄ and R₄₅ contains a Z₂ group; and R₄₃ is preferably methyl. The preferred 1:2 metal complexes of formula IIj are symmetrical, i.e., the two metal-free azo compounds are the same. Each preference is independent of the others and may be combined with one or more of the others.

In formula IIn, one of R_(2b) and R_(2c) on each ring is preferably hydrogen and the one that is not is preferably meta or para to the azo radical; any p in a Z₃ group or in a --(CH₂)_(p) -- radical linking a Z₃ group to a nitrogen atom is preferably 2 or 3; each (Z₃)_(a) --D₁ -- is preferably a methylbenzothiazolylphenyl group; and each of the other preferences is as set forth in the preceding paragraph for the 1:2 metal complexes for formula IIj. Each preference is independent of the others and may be combined with one or more of the others.

In formulae IIa-IIn, (Z₂)_(a) --D₁ -- or (Z₃)_(a) --D₁ -- is more preferably ##STR143## and, where present, each R_(3a) is independently preferably R_(3b), more preferably R_(3c), and R_(3c) is preferably hydrogen, --NO₂, --SO₂ NH, --SO₂ NH(CH₂)₃ N(CH₃)₂ or --SO₂ NHC₂ H₄ OH. Each R_(3b) is independently preferably R_(3c) and more preferably is one of the aforementioned preferred significances of R_(3c). R_(2a) is preferably hydrogen when R_(3a) on the sane ring is other than hydrogen and otherwise is preferably --NO₂ or --SO₂ NH₂. R_(2c) is preferably hydrogen when R_(3a) on the same ring is other than hydrogen and otherwise is preferably hydroxy, methyl or methoxy. R_(2b) is preferably hydrogen when R_(3b) on the same ring is other than hydrogen and otherwise it is preferably --NO₂ or --SO₂ NH₂.

In formula III and each subscope thereof, one member of each of the following pairs of variables on the same ring is preferably hydrogen: (1) R₂₁ and R₂₂, (2) R₃₄ and R₃₅, (3) R_(21a) and R_(22a), (4) R_(21b) and R_(22b), (5) R_(21c) and R_(22c) and (6) R_(21d) and R_(22d).

Preferably, in formulae IIIa-IIIc, D₁₀, D₁₀ ' or D₁₀ " is ##STR144## wherein, more preferably, one of R₃₄ and R₃₅ is hydrogen and the other is other than hydrogen, and any p in a Z₂ or Z₃ group is preferably 2 or 3. Each preference is independent of the others and may be combined therewith.

In formulae IIId, IIIi and IIIp, A₄ ' is preferably --OH or --COOH and most preferably --OH; each A₄ " is preferably --O--; each R₂₀ is preferably hydrogen; one of R_(21d) and R_(22d) on the same ring is preferably hydrogen; any p in a Z₃ group is preferably 2 or 3; any --R₅₁ --Z₃ group is preferably in a meta or para position of the phenyl group to which it is attached; at least one of R₅₂ and R₅₃ is preferably hydrogen; any q in a --(CH₂)_(q) -- radical linking a Z₃ or --OH group to a nitrogen atom is preferably 2, 3 or 4 and more preferably 2 or 3 and any p in such a --(CH₂)_(p) -- radical is preferably 2 or 3; Me_(a) is preferably copper, cobalt or chromium and most preferably copper. Each preference is independent of the others and may be combined with one or more of the others.

In formulae IIIe, IIIl and IIIs, any R₅₆ --Z₅ group is preferably in a meta or para position of the phenyl group to which it is attached.

In formulae IIIf and IIIm, one of R_(21a) and R_(22a) on each ring is preferably hydrogen; each R_(23a) is preferably hydrogen, any p is a Z₂ group is preferably 2 or 3; and Me_(a) is preferably copper, cobalt or chromium and most preferably copper. Each preference is independent of the others and may be combined with one or more of the others.

In formulae IIIg and IIIn, one of R_(21b) and R_(22b) on each ring is preferably hydrogen; any p in a Z₃ group is preferably 2 or 3; and Me_(c) is preferably copper. Each preference is independent of the others and may be combined with one or more of the others.

In formulae IIIh and IIIo, one of R_(21c) and R_(22c) on each ring is preferably hydrogen.

The preferred 1:2 metal complexes of formulae IIIm, IIIn, IIIo, IIIp, IIIr and IIIs are symmetrical, i.e., the two metal-free azo compounds are the same.

In formula IV and each subscope thereof, one member of each of the following pairs of variables on the same ring is preferably hydrogen: (1) R₆₁ and R₆₂, (2) R_(61a) and R_(62a), (3) R_(61b) and R_(62b), (4) R_(61a) ' and R_(62a) ' and (5) R_(61a) " and R_(62a) ".

In formulae IVa, IVe and IVi, A₅ ' is preferably --OH; each A₅ " is preferably --O--; each R₆₀ is preferably hydrogen; one of R_(61a) and R_(62a) on each ring is preferably hydrogen; each B₂ ' and preferably 1,3- or 1,4-phenylene, 1,3- or 1,4-phenylene-X_(a) -1,3-phenylene or 1,3- or 1,4-phenylene-X_(a) -1,4-phenylene (X_(a) being more preferably X_(b)); any p in a Z₂ group or in a --(CH₂)_(p) -- radical linking a Z₂ group to a nitrogen atom is preferably 2 or 3; each R₂₆ is preferably hydrogen, chloro, methyl or methoxy and more preferably hydrogen; the --Wa--Z₂ group is preferably in a meta or para position of the phenyl group to which it is attached; any s in a --(CH₂)_(s) -- radical linking a Z₂ group to a nitrogen atom is preferably 2 or 3 and any other s is preferably 1, 2 or 3; each R_(68a) is preferably other than --(CH₂)_(p) --Z₂ ; each R_(69a) is preferably methyl; and Me_(c) is preferably copper. Each preference is independent of the others and may be combined with one or more of the others.

In formulae IVb, IVf and IVj, each R₆₀ is preferably hydrogen; one of R_(61b) and R_(62b) on each ring is preferably hydrogen; any p in a Z₃ group is preferably 2 or 3; each R₂₆ is preferably hydrogen, chloro, methyl or methoxy and more preferably hydrogen; the --Wa--Z₂ group is preferably in a meta or para position of the phenyl ring to which it is attached; any s in a --(CH₂)_(s) -- radical linking a Z₂ group to a nitrogen atom is preferably 2 or 3 and any other s is preferably 1, 2 or 3; each R_(68b) is preferably other than --(CH₂)_(m') --Z₃ ; and Me_(c) is preferably copper. Each preference is independent of the others and may be combined with one or more of the others.

In formulae IVc, IVg and IVl, A₅ ' is preferably --OH; each A₅ " is preferably --O--; each R₆₀ is preferably hydrogen; one of R_(61a) ' and R_(62a) ' on each ring is preferably hydrogen; each R_(64a) is preferably hydrogen; on each ring, preferably, k is 1 and the R_(63a) on that ring is other than --CO--NH--(CH₂)_(m') --Z₂ and is in a meta or para position; any p in a Z₂ group is preferably 2 or 3; and Me_(a) is preferably copper, cobalt or chromium and most preferably copper. Each preference is independent of the others and may be combined with one or more of the others.

In formulae IVd, IVh and IVm, each R₆₀ is preferably hydrogen; one of R_(61a) " and R_(62a) " on each ring is preferably hydrogen; each R_(64a) is preferably hydrogen; on each ring, preferably, k is 1 and the R_(63s) on that ring is other than --CO--NH--(CH₂)_(m') --Z₂ and is in a meta or para position, the most preferred significance of R_(63a) being ##STR145## any p in Z₂ or Z₃ group is preferably 2 or 3; any Z₂ group is preferably Z₃ ; and Me_(c) is preferably copper. Each preference is independent of the others and may be combined with one or more of the others.

The preferred 1:2 metal complexes of formulae IVi, IVj, IVl and IVm are symmetrical, i.e., the two metal-free azo compounds are the same.

In each formula, when a particular variable appears or may appear more than once (for example, R_(t) in formula I and R₁₂ and q in X₃₅), its significance may be the same or different, unless otherwise indicated, but are preferably the same, again unless otherwise indicated.

As used in this application, the terms "compound", "dyestuff" and "dye" are synonomous and, except where the contrary is indicated, embrace metal-free compounds and 1:1 and 1:2 metal complexes with the further exception that the terms "dye and "dyestuff" embrace mixtures of compounds as well as single compounds. Thus, as utilized herein, the terms "a 1:1 metal complex of a dye of the formula . . . " and "a 1:2 metal complex of a dye of the formula . . . " embrace metal complexes of a single compound of the indicated formula and metal complexes of a mixture of two or more compounds of the indicated formula.

The entire specification of abandoned grand parent application Ser. No. 261,318 (including the claims), especially pages 1-67 and 111-131, is hereby incorporated by reference as if it were set forth in its entirety.

The azo compounds of formula I in metal-free form can be prepared by coupling a diazotised amine of formula γ ##STR146## with a coupling component of formula δ ##STR147## where n' and da have the significances of n and d above, with the proviso that n+n' is 0 or 1 and d+da is not greater than 2 and, in the case of the metal complexes, metallising with a metal capable of forming a 1:1 or 1:2 metal complex or capable of forming both a 1:1 and 1:2 metal complex. For example, the azo compounds of formula I in metal-free form can be formed by diazotising a corresponding arylamine and coupling with the requisite coupling component by conventional methods.

The azo compounds of formula I in 1:1 metal complex form may be prepared by metallising compounds of formula I in metal-free form with a metal selected from copper, cobalt, iron, nickel, manganese, chromium and zinc.

The azo compounds of formula I in 1:2 metal complex form may be prepared by metallising compounds of formula I in metal-free form with a metal selected from chromium, nickel, cobalt and iron.

A further method for the preparation of an azo compound of formula I in 1:2 metal complex form is bonding an azo compound of formula I in metal-free form with an azo compound 1:1 metal complex when the metal is chromium, nickel, cobalt or iron.

The metallisation process to form a 1:1 metal complex is advantageously carried out by treating 1 mole of azo compound with a metallising agent containing 1 equivalent of metal.

Metallisation is carried out by known methods, advantageously in aqueous medium or a mixture of water and a water-miscible organic solvent, for example, acetone, lower alkayl alcohols, dimethylformamide, formamide, glycols or acetic acid at a pH range from 1.0 to 8.0, preferably pH 2 to 7. The metallisation process may be carried out at a temperature from room temperature to the boiling point of the reaction medium.

Alternatively, metallisation may be effected in a wholly organic medium (for example dimethylformamide). Advantageously, for instance, cobaltisation may be carried out in the presence of an inorganic nitrite such as lithium, sodium, ammonium or potassium nitrite in the ratio of 2 to 6 moles of nitrite per gram atom of cobalt.

Suitable cobalt-yielding compounds are, for example, cobalt (II) and Co (III) sulphate, acetate, formate and chloride.

Copper-yielding compounds are, for example, cupric sulphate, cupric formate, cupric acetate and cupric chloride.

The nickel-yielding compounds are Ni (II) and Ni (III) compounds, such as nickel formate, nickel acetate and nickel sulphate.

Preferred manganese-yielding compounds are Mn (II) compounds and iron-yielding compounds are Fe (II) and Fe (III) compounds. Examples of these and zinc-yielding compounds are manganese, iron and zinc formate, acetate and sulphate.

Preferred chromium-yielding compounds are Cr (II) and Cr (III) formate, acetate and sulphate.

The starting compounds of formulae γ and 67 are for the most part known or can be prepared according to known methods.

The coupling can be carried out according to known methods. Advantageously, coupling is carried out in aqueous, acid, neutral or alkali medium at a temperature from -10° C. to room temperature, if necessary in the presence of a coupling accelerator such as pyridine or urea. Alternatively, coupling may be effected in a mixture of solvents, for example, water and an organic solvent.

In the compounds of formula I the anions A.sup.⊖ can be any non-chromophoric anions such as those conventional in basic dyestuff chemistry. Suitable anions include chloride, bromide, sulphate, bisulphate, methylsulphate, aminosulphate, perchlorate, benzenesulphonate, oxalate, maleinate, acetate, propionate, lactate, succinate, tartrate, malate, methanesulphonate and benzoate, as well as complex anions, for example, zinc chloride double salts and anions of boric acid, citric acid, glycollic acid, diglycollic acid and adipic acid or of addition products of orthoboric acid with polyalcohols with at least one cis diol group present. These anions can be exchanged for each other by ion exchange resins or by reaction with acids or salts (for example via the hydroxide or bicarbonate or according to German Offenlegungsschrift Nos. 2,001,748 or 2,001,816).

The azo compounds of formula I are suitably worked up into solid or liquid preparations, for example by granulation or by dissolving in a suitable solvent. The compounds of formula I are suitable for dyeing, padding or printing on fibres, threads or textile materials, particularly natural or regenerated cellulose materials for example cotton, synthetic polyamides or synthetic polyesters in which the acid groups have been modified. Such polyamide is described in Belgian Pat. No. 706,104 and such synthetic polyester is described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,379,723.

The compounds of formula I are also used for dyeing, pad-dyeing or printing fibres, threads or textiles produced therefrom which consist of or contain homo- or mixed polymers of acrylonitrile or of asymmetrical dicyanoethylene.

The textile material is dyed, printed or pad-dyed in accordance with known methods. Acid modified-polyamide is dyed particularly advantageously in an aqueous, neutral or acid medium, at temperatures of 60° C. to boiling point or at temperatures above 100° C. under pressure.

The textile material may also be dyed by the compounds of formula I in organic solvents, e.g. in accordance with the directions given in German Offenlegung No. 2,437,549.

Cellulose material is mainly dyed by the exhaust process, e.g. from a long or short bath, at room temperature to boiling temperature, optionally under pressure, whereby the ratio of the bath is from 1:1 to 1:100 and preferably from 1:20 to 1:50. If dyeing is effected from a short bath, then the liquor ratio is 1:5 to 1:15, and the pH of the dyebath varies between 3 and 10. Dyeing preferably takes place in the presence of electrolytes.

Printing may be effected by impregnation with a printing paste produced by known methods.

The dyes of formula I are also suitable for dyeing or printing paper, e.g. for the production of bulk-dyed, sized and unsized paper. The dyestuffs may similarly be used for dyeing paper by the dipping process. The dyeing of paper is effected by known methods.

The dyes of formula I are also suitable for dyeing or printing leather by known methods.

Dyeings with good fastness are obtained on both paper and leather.

Dyeings made with the dyes of formula I on leather have good light fastness properties, good diffusion properties with PVC, good water-, wash- and sweat-fastness properties, good fastness to dry cleaning, good fastness to drops of water and good fastness to hard water.

Dyeings made with the dyes of formula I on paper have good build-up, good light fastness, good fastness to water, milk, fruit juice, sweetened mineral water and alcoholic drinks, good fastness to 1% sodium chloride, washing powder solution, good sulphite reductive or oxidative (with hypochlorite) clearance and good fastness to hard water. Dyeings made from mixtures of the new dyestuffs remain tone-in-tone and the nuance stability of dyeings made from the dyestuffs is good.

Further the dyestuffs of formula I do not run after dyeing on paper nor on the whole are they pH sensitive.

The dyes of formula I may be converted into dyeing preparations. The processing into stable liquid or solid dyeing preparations may take place in a generally known manner, advantageously by grinding or granulating or by dissolving in suitable solvents, optionally adding an assistant, e.g. a stabiliser or dissolving intermediary such as urea. Such preparations may be obtained, for example, as described in French Patent Specification Nos. 1,572,030 and 1,581,900 or in accordance with German Offenlegungsschriften Nos. 2,001,748 and 2,001,816.

Liquid preparations of the compounds of formula I preferably comprise 10-30% by weight of a compound of formula I and to 30% of a solubilising agent such as urea, lactic acid or acetic acid, the rest of the composition being water. Solid preparations preferably comprise 20-80% dyestuff, 20-80% solubilising agent such as urea or Na₂ SO₄ and 2-5% water.

In the following examples all parts and percentages given are by weight and the temperatures given are in degrees centrigrade, unless indicated to the contrary.

EXAMPLE 1

(a) 27.3 Parts (0.1 mole) of 1-hydroxy-2-aminobenzene-4-sulphonic acid 3-dimethylaminopropylamide is diazotised at 0°-5° in 150 parts of water and 32 parts of 30% hydrochloric acid with 6.9 parts (0.1 mole) sodium nitrite (according to known methods). Over an hour the darkly coloured diazonium solution is added, dropwise, to 18.9 parts (0.1 mole) 1-(4'-aminophenyl)-3-methylpyrazolone-5 dissolved in 105 parts of water and 25 parts of 30% hydrochloric acid. The mixture is slowly brought to a pH of 4.0 by the addition of 30% sodium hydroxide. The dyestuff so produced is of formula (a) ##STR148## and produces dyeings of a yellow shade.

(b) A strongly acidic solution of the dye of formula (a) is made up with a 30% solution of hydrochloric acid and is then diazotised with 6.9 parts of sodium nitrite according to known methods. Over a period of 15 minutes the solution is added, dropwise, to 32.4 parts (0.1 mole) of 6-hydroxy-4-methyl-1-(3'-dimethylaminopropyl)-3-(pyridinium chloride)pyrid-2-one dissolved in 250 parts of water.

The pH of the solution is then brought to 6.5 using sodium hydroxide solution and the reaction mixture concentrated by evaporation under vacuum. The resultant dyestuff is of formula (b) ##STR149## and dyes leather a red-orange colour.

(c) 40.4 Parts (0.05 mole) of the dye of formula (b) is dissolved in 200 parts of water at 65° C. and the solution is made up with 8 parts of sodium acetate. A solution of 12.5 parts of copper sulphate in water is added, dropwise, to the solution and the resulting solution has a pH of 4.5 to 5. After 30 minutes stirring at 60° C., the reaction mixture is concentrated by evaporation under vacuum. The 1:1 copper complex of formula (c) ##STR150## is produced; it dyes leather a red-brown tone and has good fastness properties.

EXAMPLE 2

103.2 Parts (0.15 mole) of the dyestuff of formula (d) ##STR151## and 82.7 parts of KCr(SO₄)₂.12H₂ O are autoclave with 1500 parts of water. The mixture is brought to a pH of 2 by the addition of sulphuric acid. The mixture is heated for 2 hours at a temperature of 130° C. and the 1:1 chromium complex is formed under pressure. The so-formed complex dyes leather a brown shade and has good fastness properties.

EXAMPLE 3

7 Parts of CoSO₄.7H₂ O (0.025 mole) and 10.5 parts of sodium nitrite are dissolved in 250 parts of water. At a temperature of 10° C., 17.2 parts (0.025 mole) of the dyestuff of formula (d) is added to the solution. To improve the solubility of the dyestuff, 50 parts of dimethylformamide is added to the reaction mixture. The pH of the reaction solution is brought to 5.0-5.5 by the addition of hydrochloric acid. After about 3 hours, cobaltisation is substantially completed and the 1:1 cobalt complex of the compound of formula (d) is formed and is isolated using acetone.

EXAMPLE 4

40.4 Parts (0.05 mole) of the dyestuff of formula (b) [of Example 1] is dissolved in 500 parts of water. The solution is heated to 60° C. and 35 parts of sodium acetate and 12.5 parts (0.025 mole) of KCr(SO₄)₂.12H₂ O are added to the solution. The pH of the reaction mixture is about 4.5. The temperature of the reaction mixture is raised to 90°-95° C. and after 1 hour metallization is substantially completed. The reaction mixture is cooled to 20° C. and the product is isolated in acetone after which it is filtered and dried. The product is the dyestuff of formula (e) ##STR152## wherein each T_(x) is ##STR153## and each T_(x1) is --SO₂ --NH--(CH₂)₃ --N(CH₃)₂.

The dyestuff dyes leather a red-brown colour with good fastness properties.

By substituting 7 parts cobalt sulphate (0.025 mole) or 6.8 parts of FeCl₃.6H₂ O (0.025 mole) for 12.5 parts of KCr(SO₄)₂.12H₂ O the corresponding 1:2 cobalt and iron complexes, respectively, can be produced.

EXAMPLE 5

According to the method of Example (1a) and (1b) and with subsequent cobaltisation (with cobalt sulphate) a complex of formula (f) is produced ##STR154## 8.3 Parts of the above dyestuff (f) in 150 parts of water is heated to 85° C. 8 Parts of the dyestuff of formula (g) (0.1 mole) ##STR155## is added gradually. The pH of the reaction is held at 9 by the addition of aqueous sodium hydroxide solution. After 3 hours an asymmetric 1:2 cobalt complex dyestuff of formula (h) ##STR156## is produced; it is isolated in acetone, washed and vacuum dried. This dyestuff of formula (h) dyes leather a red-brown colour. The A.sup.⊖ 's in formula (h) are a mixture acetate and hydroxide anions; they may be replaced by chloride ions or any other non-chromophoric anions, preferably any of those mentioned in the specification, by conventional means.

EXAMPLE 6

(a) 15.4 Parts (0.1 mole) of 1-hydroxy-2-amino-4-nitrobenzene are coupled with 11 parts of resorcinol at pH 8.5-9.5 to give a compound of formula VIa ##STR157##

(b) 24 Parts (0.1 mole) of 2-(4'-aminophenyl)-6-methylbenzothiazole was chloromethylated according to the method of German Offenlegungsschrift No. 1,965,993 and then quaternised with 50 parts of a solution of trimethylamine in water at 40°-45°. The resulting trimethylammonium compound is dissolved at 0°-10° in dilute hydrochloric acid solution and diazotised with 6.9 parts of sodium nitrite and the dyestuff suspension of the compound of formula VIa is dropwise added. A compound of formula VIb ##STR158## results.

(c) 15.4 Parts (0.1 mole) of the dyestuff of formula VIb is dissolved in 500 parts formamide. The solution is warmed to 60°, 35 parts sodium acetate and 35 parts of KCr(SO₄)₂.12H₂ O are added and the temperature is raised to 90°-95°. After about 60 minutes metallisation is completed. The reaction mixture is cooled to 20° and is precipitated in acetone to give a 1:2 chromium complex of formula VIc ##STR159##

In formula VIc, each metallized azo radical is ortho to the metallized hydroxy group on the resorcinol ring to which it is attached.

In the following Examples ##STR160##

In each of the foregoing, A.sup.⊖ is chloride; however, it may also be any other non-chromophoric anion, especially those mentioned in the specification.

EXAMPLES 7-16

The following Examples are compounds of the formula ##STR161## in metal-free or 1:1 or 1:2 metal complex form. These compounds can be prepared according to the method of Example 6 with suitable choice of starting materials. Each Z referred to in a specific Example has the same significance in that Example whenever it appears; the A.sup.⊖ associated with each Z in Examples 7-16 is chloride. However, the chloride ions may be replaced by any other non-chromophoric anions, especially those mentioned in the specification, by conventional means. In each of these examples, the coupling order is: (i) the R₂ -containing diazonium compound is coupled onto the A₁ -containing ring at pH 8.5-9. (ii) The 5-methylbenzothiazolylphenyl diazonium compound is coupled onto the product of (i), and, when R_(t) is other than hydrogen, (iii) the R_(t) diazonium compound is coupled onto the product of (ii). The same or similar compounds differing with respect to the coupling positions on the A₁ -containing ring may be obtained by altering the coupling order to (i), (iii), (ii) or (ii), (iii), (i) or (ii), (i), (iii) or (iii), (ii), (i) or (iii), (i), (ii). The cation balancing the negative charge on the complexed metal ion of each 1:2 metal complex is sodium; however, in each case, sodium may be replaced by hydrogen, lithium, potassium or another, preferably monovalent, non-chromophoric cation.

    __________________________________________________________________________     Ex.      position     position                                                 No.                                                                               R.sub.t                                                                           R.sub.3                                                                           of R.sub.3                                                                          R.sub.2 of R.sub.2                                                                          Z A.sub.1                                                                           A.sub.2                                                                           metal complex                               __________________________________________________________________________      7 H  NO.sub.2                                                                          3'-- NO.sub.2                                                                               5'-- Zb                                                                               OH OH --                                           8 R300                                                                              R306                                                                              5'-- H       --   Za                                                                               NH.sub.2                                                                          NH.sub.2                                                                          1:1 Cu                                       9 R301                                                                              R301                                                                              5'-- H       --   Zd                                                                               NH.sub.2                                                                          OH 1:2 Co                                      10 R302                                                                              R308                                                                              5'-- H       --   Ze                                                                               OH NH.sub.2                                                                          --                                          11 R303                                                                              R309                                                                              5'-- H       --   Zf                                                                               OH OH 1:1 Cu                                      12 R304                                                                              R310                                                                              4'-- H       --   Zg                                                                               OH OH 1:2 Fe                                      13 R305                                                                              R311                                                                              3'-- --SO.sub.2 NH.sub.2                                                                    5'-- Zb                                                                               OH NH.sub.2                                                                          --                                          14 R300                                                                              R312                                                                              3'-- R314    5'-- Za                                                                               NH.sub.2                                                                          OH 1:1 Cu                                      15 H  R313                                                                              5'-- R316    4'-- Zc                                                                               OH NH.sub.2                                                                          1:2 Fe                                      16 H  H  --   --SO.sub.2 N(CH.sub.3).sub.2                                                           5'-- Zd                                                                               OH OH --                                          __________________________________________________________________________

EXAMPLES 17-43

The following Examples are of compounds of the formula ##STR162## in metal-free or 1:1 or 1:2 metal complex form.

    ______________________________________                                         Example                                 metal                                  No.    n      R.sub.1.sup.a                                                                         R.sub.2.sup.a                                                                       R.sub.3.sup.a complex                                ______________________________________                                         17     1      H      NO.sub.2                                                                            H             --                                     18     1      H      NO.sub.2                                                                            H             1:1 Cu                                 19     1      H      NO.sub.2                                                                            H             1:2 Cr                                 20     1      H      NO.sub.2                                                                            H             1:2 Co                                 21     1      H      H    NO.sub.2      1:1 Cu                                 22     1      H      H    SO.sub.2 NH.sub.2                                                                            --                                     23     1      H      H    H             --                                     24     1      H      H    H             1:1 Cu                                 25     1      H      H    H             1:2 Cr                                 26     1      NO.sub.2                                                                              H    NO.sub.2      --                                     27     1      NO.sub.2                                                                              H    NO.sub.2      1:1 Cu                                 28     1      NO.sub.2                                                                              H    NO.sub.2      1:2 Cr                                 29     1      H      H    SO.sub.2 NH.sub.2                                                                            1:1 Cu                                 30     1      H      H    SO.sub.2 NH.sub.2                                                                            1:2 Cr                                 31     1      H      H    SO.sub.2 NH.sub.2                                                                            1:2 Co                                 32     2      H      NO.sub.2                                                                            H             1:1 Cu                                 33     2      H      NO.sub.2                                                                            H             1:2 Fe                                 34     2      H      H    NO.sub.2      --                                     35     2      NO.sub.2                                                                              H    NO.sub.2      1:1 Cu                                 36     2      NO.sub.2                                                                              H    NO.sub.2      1:2 Cr                                 37     2      NO.sub.2                                                                              H    NO.sub.2      1:2 Co                                 38     2      NO.sub.2                                                                              H    NO.sub.2      1:2 Fe                                 39     1      H      H                                                                                    ##STR163##   --                                     40     1      H      H                                                                                    ##STR164##   1:1 Cu                                 41     1      H      H                                                                                    ##STR165##   1:2 Co                                 42     1      H      H                                                                                    ##STR166##   --                                     43     1      H      H                                                                                    ##STR167##   1:1 Cu                                 ______________________________________                                    

The R_(1a) -containing diazonium compound is first coupled onto resorcinol at a pH of 8.5-9.5. However, the coupling order may be reversed to get the same or similar products differing with respect to the coupling position on the resorcinol ring. The cation balancing the negative charge on the complexed metal ion of each 1:2 metal complex is as set forth above in connection with Examples 7-16. The cloride ions may be replaced by other non-chromophoric anions.

EXAMPLES 44-58

The following Examples are compounds of the formula ##STR168## and can be prepared following the methods of Examples 1 and 6 (or Example 5 where 1:2 metallisation has been carried out), with suitable choice of starting materials. First, the R_(3b) -containing diazonium compound is coupled onto resorcinol at a pH of 8.5-9.5. Second, the X-containing diazonium compound is coupled onto the pyridone group. Third, the product of the second step is coupled onto the product of the first step, preferably at a pH of 5-6. The same or similar products differing with respect to the coupling position on the resorcinol ring may be obtained by first coupling the X-containing diazonium compound onto the pyridone ring, then coupling this product onto resorcinol, and then coupling the R_(3b) -containing diazonium compound onto the resulting product. A.sup.⊖ is chloride in each of these examples, but the chloride ion may be replaced by any other non-chromophoric anion, especially those mentioned in the specification, by conventional means. The cation balancing the negative charge on the complexed metal ion of each 1:2 metal complex is as set forth above in connection with Examples 7-16.

In the Examples R₃₁₇ is ##STR169## R₄₀₀ is --SO₂ --NH--(CH₂)₃ --N(CH₃)₂.

    ______________________________________                                         Example                             metal                                      No.    R.sub.24b    X          R.sub.3b                                                                            complex                                    ______________________________________                                         44     (CH.sub.2).sub.3 N(CH.sub.3).sub.2                                                           ##STR170##                                                                               R.sub.317                                                                           --                                         45     "            "          "    1:1 Cu                                     46     "            "          "    1:2 Cu                                     47     H            "          "    1:2 Fe                                     48     "            "          "    1:1 Cu                                     49     "            "          "    1:2 Cr                                     50     (CH.sub.2).sub.3 N(CH.sub.3).sub.2                                                          "          R.sub.400                                                                           --                                         51     H            SO.sub.2 NH                                                                               R.sub.317                                                                           --                                         52     "            "          "    1:1 Cu                                     53     "            "          "    1:2 Fe                                     54     (CH.sub.2).sub.3 N(CH.sub.3).sub.2                                                          "          "    --                                         55     "            "          "    1:1 Cu                                     56     "            "          R.sub.400                                                                           --                                         57     "            "          "    1:1 Cu                                     58     "            "          "    1:2 Fe                                     ______________________________________                                    

EXAMPLES 59-72

The following Examples are compounds of the formula ##STR171## which can be made according to Examples 1 and 6, or where 1:2 metallisation is necessary, according to Example 5 using a suitable choice of starting materials. The coupling order is: (i) The triazinyl-containing diazonium compound is coupled onto the R_(1c) -containing ring. (ii) The product of (i) is coupled onto resorcinol. (iii) The R_(3c) -containing diazonium compound is coupled onto the product of (ii). The same or similar compounds differing with respect to the coupling position on the resorcinol ring may be synthesized by reversing (ii) and (iii).

    __________________________________________________________________________            position                                                                Ex.    of triazinyl-              metal                                        No. Z  amino group                                                                           R.sub.1c                                                                           R.sub.2c                                                                           R.sub.3c                                                                          R.sub.4c                                                                          R.sub.5c                                                                             complex                                                                             n                                       __________________________________________________________________________     59A,B                                                                              Z.sub.B                                                                           4      OCH.sub.3                                                                          OCH.sub.3                                                                          H  H  NO.sub.2                                                                             --   2,3                                     60A,B                                                                              Z.sub.A                                                                           4      "   "   "  "  "     1:1 Cu                                                                              2,3                                     61A,B                                                                              Z.sub.A                                                                           4      "   "   "  "  "     1:2 Cr                                                                              2,3                                     62A,B                                                                              Z.sub.B                                                                           4      CH.sub.3                                                                           CH.sub.3                                                                           "  "  "     --   2,3                                     63A,B                                                                              Z.sub.A                                                                           4      "   "   "  "  "     1:1 Cu                                                                              2,3                                     64A,B                                                                              Z.sub.A                                                                           4      "   "   "  "  "     1:2 Co                                                                              2,3                                     65A,B                                                                              Z.sub.B                                                                           4      OCH.sub.3                                                                          "   "  "  "     1:1 Cu                                                                              2,3                                     66A,B                                                                              Z.sub.A                                                                           3      CH.sub.3                                                                           "   NO.sub.2                                                                          "  "     --   2,3                                     67A,B                                                                              Z.sub.B                                                                           3      "   "   "  "  "     1:1 Cu                                                                              2,3                                     68A,B                                                                              Z.sub.A                                                                           3      "   "   "  "  "     1:2 Cr                                                                              2,3                                     69A,B                                                                              Z.sub.B                                                                           4      "   "   H  "  --SO.sub.2 NH.sub.2                                                                  --   2,3                                     70A,B                                                                              Z.sub.B                                                                           4      OCH.sub.3                                                                          OCH.sub.3                                                                          NO.sub.2                                                                          "  NO.sub.2                                                                             --   2,3                                     71A,B                                                                              Z.sub.A                                                                           4      "   "   "  "  "     1:1 Cu                                                                              2,3                                     72A,B                                                                              Z.sub.A                                                                           4      "   "   "  "  "     1:2 Cr                                                                              2,3                                     __________________________________________________________________________

n is 2 in Examples 59A-72A and 3 in Examples 59B-72B. Z_(A) is --N(C₂ H₅)₂ and Z_(B) is --N(CH₃)₂. The cation balancing the negative charge on the complexed metal ion of each 1:2 metal complex is as set forth above in connection with Examples 7-16. ##STR172##

In each of the foregoing A.sup.⊖ is chloride. However, it may also be any other non-chromophoric anion, especially those mentioned in the specification.

EXAMPLES 73-83

The following Examples are compounds of formula III ##STR173## They may be synthesized by the methods of Examples 1-6.

    __________________________________________________________________________     Example                 metal                                                  No.  R.sub.20                                                                          R.sub.21                                                                          R.sub.22                                                                             R.sub.23                                                                           K.sub.2                                                                           complex                                                                             A.sub.4                                           __________________________________________________________________________     73   H  H  H     H   K.sub.10                                                                          --   OH                                                74   NO.sub.2                                                                          H  --SO.sub.2 NH.sub.2                                                                  H   K.sub.11                                                                          1:1 Cu                                                                              OH                                                75   H  R.sub.317                                                                         H     H   K.sub.12                                                                          1:2 Co                                                                              OCH.sub.3 (hydrolized to OH                                                    during metallization                              76   H  R.sub.318                                                                         H     H   K.sub.13                                                                          --   COOH                                              77   H  R.sub.319                                                                         R.sub.320                                                                            H   K.sub.14                                                                          1:1 Cu                                                                              OH                                                78   H  R.sub.320                                                                         R.sub.319                                                                            H   K.sub.15                                                                          1:2 Fe                                                                              OH                                                79   H  R.sub.321                                                                         H     H   K.sub.16                                                                          --   OH                                                80   H  H  R.sub.321                                                                            H   K.sub.17                                                                          1:1 Cu                                                                              OH                                                81   H  R.sub.322                                                                         H     --CH.sub.3                                                                         K.sub.18                                                                          --   OH                                                82   H  R.sub.320                                                                         H     H   K.sub.19                                                                          1:1 Cu                                                                              OH                                                83   H  H  R.sub.320                                                                            H   K.sub.20                                                                          1:2 Cr                                                                              OH                                                __________________________________________________________________________

The cation balancing the negative charge on the complexed metal ion of each 1:2 metal complex is as set forth above in connection with Examples 7-16.

EXAMPLES 84-103

The following Examples are compounds of the formula ##STR174## which may be prepared by following the method of Examples 1 and 6 (or, where 1:2 metallisation is carried out, Example 5) with suitable choice of starting materials. The coupling order is: (i) The R₂₁ -containing diazonium compound is coupled onto resorcinol at pH 8-9.5. (ii) Ring C is coupled onto K. (iii) The product of (ii) is coupled onto the product of (i). The same or similar compounds differing with respect to the coupling position on the resorcinol ring may be obtained by coupling the product of (ii) onto resorcinol and then coupling the R₂₁ -containing diazonium compound onto the obtained product.

    ______________________________________                                                       position of                                                                    N═N                                                          Example       bridge                    metal                                  No.    K      on ring C R.sub.21                                                                               R.sub.22                                                                               complex                                ______________________________________                                         84     K.sub.12                                                                              4         H       R.sub.317                                                                              --                                     85     K.sub.12                                                                              4         H       R.sub.317                                                                              1:1 Cu                                 86     K.sub.12                                                                              4         H       R.sub.318                                                                              --                                     87     K.sub.12                                                                              4         H       R.sub.318                                                                              1:1 Cu                                 88     K.sub.10                                                                              4         H       NO.sub.2                                                                               1:2 Cr                                 89     K.sub.10                                                                              4         H       NO.sub.2                                                                               1:2 Cr                                 90     K.sub.10                                                                              4         NO.sub.2                                                                               H       1:2 Co                                 91     K.sub.10                                                                              4         H       -SO.sub.2 NH.sub.2                                                                     1:1 Cu                                 92     K.sub.10                                                                              3         H       NO.sub.2                                                                               1:2 Fe                                 93     K.sub.10                                                                              3         NO.sub.2                                                                               H       1:2 Fe                                 94     K.sub.12                                                                              4         R.sub.321                                                                              H       --                                     95     K.sub.12                                                                              4         R.sub.323                                                                              H       1:2 Cr                                 96     K.sub.12                                                                              3         R.sub.318                                                                              H       1:2 Co                                 97     K.sub.12                                                                              3         R.sub.318                                                                              H       1:1 Cu                                 98     K.sub.10                                                                              4         NO.sub.2                                                                               H       --                                     99     K.sub.10                                                                              4         H       NO.sub.2                                                                               1:2 Fe                                 100    K.sub.10                                                                              4         -SO.sub.2 NH.sub.2                                                                     H       --                                     101    K.sub.12                                                                              3         -SO.sub.2 NH.sub.2                                                                     H       --                                     102    K.sub.10                                                                              3         R.sub.318                                                                              H       --                                     103    K.sub.11                                                                              3         H       NO.sub.2                                                                               --                                     ______________________________________                                    

The cation balancing the negative charge on the complexed metal ion of each 1:2 metal complex is as set forth above in connection with Examples 7-16.

EXAMPLES 104-129

The following Examples are of the formula ##STR175##

These compounds can be made by following the method of Examples 1 and 6 (or, where 1:2 metallization is carried out, Example 5) using suitable choice of starting materials. The coupling order is: (i) The ring Q diazonium compound is coupled onto the R_(1m) -containing ring. (ii) The product of (i) is coupled onto resorcinol. (iii) the R_(3m) -containing diazonium compound is coupled onto the product of (ii). The same or similar compounds differing with respect to the coupling position on the resorcinol ring may be obtained by first coupling the R_(3m) -containing diazonium compound onto resorcinol and then coupling the product of (i) onto the thus obtained product.

    ______________________________________                                               posi-                                                                    Exam- tion                                   metal                             ple   on                                     com-                              No.   ring Q  R.sub.1m                                                                               R.sub.2m                                                                            R.sub.3m                                                                            R.sub.4m                                                                            R.sub.5m                                                                               plex                              ______________________________________                                         104   3       CH.sub.3                                                                               CH.sub.3                                                                            H    H    NO.sub.2                                                                               --                                105   3       CH.sub.3                                                                               CH.sub.3                                                                            H    H    --SO.sub.2 NH.sub.2                                                                    --                                106   4       OCH.sub.3                                                                              CH.sub.3                                                                            H    H    NO.sub.2                                                                               1:1 Cu                            107   4       CH.sub.3                                                                               CH.sub.3                                                                            NO.sub.2                                                                            H    NO.sub.2                                                                               1:1 Cu                            108   4       CH.sub.3                                                                               CH.sub.3                                                                            NO.sub.2                                                                            H    NO.sub.2                                                                               1:2 Co                            109   4       CH.sub.3                                                                               CH.sub.3                                                                            NO.sub.2                                                                            H    NO.sub.2                                                                               1:2 Fe                            110   3       CH.sub.3                                                                               CH.sub.3                                                                            H    H    NO.sub.2                                                                               1:2 Fe                            111   4       CH.sub.3                                                                               CH.sub.3                                                                            H    H    --SO.sub.2 NH.sub.2                                                                    1:2 Fe                            112   3       CH.sub.3                                                                               CH.sub.3                                                                            H    H    --SO.sub.2 NH.sub.2                                                                    1:2 Fe                            113   3       CH.sub.3                                                                               CH.sub.3                                                                            H    H    --SO.sub.2 NH.sub.2                                                                    1:2 Co                            ______________________________________                                    

The cation balancing the negative charge on the complexed metal ion of each 1:2 metal complex is as set forth above in connection with Examples 7-16.

The following Examples are of the formula ##STR176## in which Z₁ is --N(C₂ H₅)₂ and Z₂ is --N(CH₃)₂.

These compounds can be made by following the methods of Examples 1 and 6 (or, where 1:2 metallization occurs, Example 5) using a suitable choice of starting materials. The coupling order and alternate coupling order are the same as indicated for Examples 104-113.

    __________________________________________________________________________              position of                                                           Example  triazinylamino                 metal                                  No.  Z n group on Ring Q                                                                         R.sub.1                                                                            R.sub.2                                                                            R.sub.3                                                                           R.sub.4                                                                          R.sub.5  complex                                __________________________________________________________________________     114  Z.sub.1                                                                          2 4        OCH.sub.3                                                                          OCH.sub.3                                                                          H  H NO.sub.2  --                                    115  Z.sub.2                                                                          3 4        "   "   "  "  "       1:1 Cu                                 116  Z.sub.1                                                                          2 4        "   "   "  "  "       1:2 Fe                                 117  Z.sub.2                                                                          2 4        CH.sub.3                                                                           CH.sub.3                                                                           "  "  "       1:2 Fe                                 118                                                                               A Z.sub.1                                                                          2 4        "   "   NO.sub.2                                                                          "  "       1:2 Fe                                    B Z.sub.2                                                                   119                                                                               A Z.sub.1                                                                          3 4        "   "   "  "  "       1:1 Cu                                    B Z.sub.2                                                                   120                                                                               A Z.sub.1                                                                          2 4        "   "   "  "  "       1:2 Cr                                    B Z.sub.2                                                                   121                                                                               A Z.sub.1                                                                          3 3        "   "   "  "  "        --                                       B Z.sub.2                                                                   122                                                                               A Z.sub.1                                                                          2 3        "   "   "  "  "       1:1 Cu                                    B Z.sub.2                                                                   123                                                                               A Z.sub.1                                                                          3 3        "   "   "  "  "       1:2 Cr                                    B Z.sub.2                                                                   124                                                                               A Z.sub.1                                                                          2 3        "   "   "  "  "       1:2 Fe                                    B Z.sub.2                                                                   125                                                                               A Z.sub.1                                                                          2 4        OCH.sub.3                                                                          OCH.sub.3                                                                          H  " SO.sub.2 NH.sub.2                                                                        --                                       B Z.sub.2                                                                   126                                                                               A Z.sub.1                                                                          3 4        "   "   "  "  "       1:2 Fe                                    B Z.sub.2                                                                   127                                                                                ##STR177##                                                                       ##STR178##                                                                      2 4        OCH.sub.3                                                                          OCH.sub.3                                                                          H  H                                                                                 ##STR179##                                                                             1:2 Fe                                 128                                                                               A Z.sub.1                                                                          3 4        "   "   "  " SO.sub.2 NH.sub. 2                                                                      1:2 Fe                                    B Z.sub.2                                                                   129                                                                                ##STR180##                                                                       ##STR181##                                                                      2 3        "   "   "  "                                                                                 ##STR182##                                                                             1:2 Fe                                 __________________________________________________________________________

The cation balancing the negative charge on the complexed metal ion of each 1:2 metal complex is as set forth above in connection with Examples 7-16.

EXAMPLES 130-160

The following Examples are of the formula ##STR183## and can be prepared by following the methods of Examples 1 and 6 (or, where 1:2 metallisation is carried out, Example 5) using a suitable choice of starting materials.

    __________________________________________________________________________                                       substitution                                 Ex.                               position on                                                                          metal                                  No.                                                                               R.sub.21.sup.d                                                                    R.sub.22.sup.d   R.sub.24.sup.d                                                                            ring E                                                                               complex                                __________________________________________________________________________     130                                                                               H  H                (CH.sub.2).sub.3N(CH.sub.3).sub.2                                                         4      --                                    131                                                                               H  H                 "         4     1:1 Cu                                 132                                                                               H  H                 "         4     1:2 Fe                                 133                                                                               H                                                                                  ##STR184##      H          4      --                                    134                                                                               H   "               H          4     1:1 Cu                                 135                                                                               H   "               H          4     1:2 Fe                                 136                                                                               H  NO.sub.2         (CH.sub.2).sub.3N(CH.sub.3).sub.2                                                         4      --                                    137                                                                               H   "                "         4     1:1 Cu                                 138                                                                               H   "                "         4     1:2 Cr                                 139                                                                               H   "                "         4     1:2 Fe                                 140                                                                               NO.sub.2                                                                          H                 "         4      --                                    141                                                                                " H                 "         4     1:2 Fe                                 142                                                                               H                                                                                  ##STR185##       "         3      --                                    143                                                                               H   "                "         3     1:1 Cu                                 144                                                                               H                                                                                  ##STR186##      H          3      --                                    145                                                                               H   "               H          3     1:1 Cu                                 146                                                                               H   "               H          3     1:2 Fe                                 147                                                                               H                                                                                  ##STR187##      H          3      --                                    148                                                                               H   "               H          3     1:1 Cu                                 149                                                                               H   "               H          3     1:2 Cr                                 150                                                                               H  NO.sub.2         (CH.sub.2).sub.3 N(CH.sub.3).sub.2                                                        3      --                                    151                                                                               H   "                "         3     1:1 Cu                                 152                                                                               H   "                "         3     1:2 Co                                 153                                                                               H   "                 "        3     1:2 Fe                                 154                                                                               H  SO.sub.2 NH.sub.2                                                                                "         3     1:2 Fe                                 155                                                                               NO.sub.2                                                                          H                 "         3     1:1 Cu                                 156                                                                                " H                 "         3     1:2 Co                                 157                                                                                " H                 "         3     1:2 Fe                                 158                                                                               H  NO.sub.2          "         4     1:1 Co                                 159                                                                               H   "                "         4     1:1 Cr                                 159A                                                                              NO.sub.2                                                                          H                 "         4     1:2 Cr                                 __________________________________________________________________________

EXAMPLE 160 ##STR188##

In Examples 130-160, each A.sup.⊖ is chloride; however, it may also be any other non-chromophoric anion, preferably any of those mentioned in the specification. The cation balancing the negative charge on the complexed metal ion of each 1:2 metal complex is as set forth above in connection with Examples 7-16.

In the following Examples ##STR189##

EXAMPLES 161-166

The following Examples of the formula ##STR190## which can be prepared according to Examples 1 and 6 by the suitable choice of starting materials. The coupling order is: (i) The A₅ -containing diazonium compound is coupled onto the A₁ -containing ring. (ii) The B₂ -containing diazonium compound is coupled onto K₃ ^(a). (iii) The diazotized product of (ii) is coupled onto the product of (i). The same or similar compounds differing with respect to the coupling position on the A₁ -containing ring may be obtained by coupling the diazotized product of (ii) onto the A₁ -containing ring and then coupling the A₅ -containing diazonium compound onto the thus obtained product.

    ______________________________________                                         Exam-                                                                          ple                                                                            No.   R.sub.60.sup.a                                                                        R.sub.61.sup.a                                                                        R.sub.62.sup.a                                                                            A.sub.5                                                                              A.sub.1                                                                             B.sub.2                                                                            K.sub.3.sup.a                    ______________________________________                                         161   H      NO.sub.2                                                                              H          OH    OH   Ba  K.sub.12                         162   H      R317   R318       COOH  NH.sub.2                                                                            Bb  K.sub.14                         163   H      R318   NO.sub.2   OCH.sub.3                                                                            OH   Ba  K.sub.15                         164   NO.sub.2                                                                              R320   H          OH    NH.sub.2                                                                            Bb  K.sub.16                         165   H      R323   --SO.sub.2 NH.sub.2                                                                       COOH  OH   Ba  K.sub.17                         166   H      R322   --CH.sub.2 --N(CH.sub.3).sub.2                                                            OH    NH.sub.2                                                                            Bb  K.sub.18                         ______________________________________                                    

EXAMPLES 167-172

The following Examples are of the formula ##STR191## and can be prepared according to Examples 1 and 6 (or, when 1:2 metallisation is carried out, Example 5) by the suitable choice of starting materials. The coupling order and the alternate coupling order are the same as given for Examples 161-166 (the triazinylamino group-containing phenyl ring correspoding to K₃ ^(a)).

    ______________________________________                                         Example                                     metal                              No.    R.sub.60.sup.a                                                                        R.sub.61.sup.a                                                                        R.sub.62.sup.a                                                                         A.sub.5                                                                              A.sub.1                                                                             B.sub.3                                                                            complex                            ______________________________________                                         167    H      NO.sub.2                                                                              H       OH    OH   Bc  --                                 168    H      H      R318    COOH  NH.sub.2                                                                            Bd  1:1 Cu                             169    NO.sub.2                                                                              R323   H       OCH.sub.3                                                                            OH   Be  1:2 Fe                             170    NO.sub.2                                                                              R322   NO.sub.2                                                                               OH    OH   Bc  --                                 171    H      R318   --SO.sub.2 NH.sub.2                                                                    OH    OH   Bd  1:1 Cu                             172    NO.sub.2                                                                              H      --SO.sub.2 NH.sub.2                                                                    OH    NH.sub.2                                                                            Be  1:2 Fe                             ______________________________________                                    

The cation balancing the negative charge on the complexed metal ion of each 1:2 metal complex is as set forth above in connection with Examples 7-16.

EXAMPLES 173-185

The following compounds can be made according to Example 1 (or, where 1:2 metallisation is carried out, according to Example 5) by suitable choice of starting materials.

EXAMPLE 173 ##STR192## EXAMPLE 174 ##STR193## EXAMPLE 175 ##STR194## EXAMPLE 176 ##STR195## EXAMPLE 177

1:1 Cu-complex from Example 174.

EXAMPLE 178

1:1 Cu-complex from Example 175.

EXAMPLE 179 ##STR196## EXAMPLE 180

1:2 Fe-complex from Example 174.

EXAMPLE 181

1:2 Fe-complex from Example 175.

EXAMPLE 182

1:2 Cr-complex from Example 174.

EXAMPLE 183

1:2 Cr-complex from Example 175.

EXAMPLE 184

1:2 Co-complex from Example 174.

EXAMPLE 185

1:2 Co-complex from Example 175.

In Examples 180-185, the cation balancing the negative charge on the complexed metal ion is as set forth above in connection with Examples 7-16. The chloride ion in Example 176 may be replaced by any other non-chromophoric anion, especially those mentioned in the specification.

Each metal-free compound of the foregoing examples may be converted into the corresponding 1:1 copper complex and the corresponding 1:2 iron, chromium and cobalt complexes. The cation balancing the negative charge on the complexed metal ion of each 1:2 metal complex is as set forth above in connection with Examples 7-16.

APPLICATION EXAMPLE A

100 Parts of freshly tanned and neutralised chrome grain leather are soaked in a bath at 55° C. of 250 parts water and 0.5 part of a dyestuff of any one of Examples 1 to 5 for 30 minutes, then treated for 30 minutes in the same bath with 2 parts of an anionic fat liquor based on sulphonated train oil and then dried and finished in conventional manner. The colour of the dyed leather is given below:

    ______________________________________                                         Dyestuff               Colour                                                  ______________________________________                                         1:1 copper complex of  red-brown                                               Example 1 part (c)                                                             1:1 chromium complex   brown                                                   of Example 2                                                                   1:1 cobalt complex     red                                                     of Example 3                                                                   1:2 chromium complex of                                                                               red-brown                                               Example 4                                                                      1:2 cobalt complex of  red-brown                                               Example 4                                                                      1:2 iron complex of                                                            Example 4 -1:2 cobalt complex of                                                                      red-brown                                               Example 5                                                                      ______________________________________                                    

Calf suede leather, chrome-vegetable tanned sheepskin and box cowhide leather can also be dyed by known methods.

APPLICATION EXAMPLE B

70 Parts of a chemically bleached sulphite cellulose (from conifer wood) and 30 parts of a chemically bleached sulphite cellulose (from birch wood) are ground in a Hollander with 2000 parts water. 0.2 Part of any of the dyes listed in Application Example A (the dyes of Examples 1 to 5 above) is added to the mass. After 20 minutes of mixing, paper is produced from the mass. The absorbent paper so produced has the sme colour as the leather dyed with the dyestuffs as given in Application Example A above and the backwaters are colourless.

APPLICATION EXAMPLE C

0.5 Part of any of the dyes of Examples 1 to 5 dissolved in 100 parts of hot water and cooled to room temperature. The solution is added to 100 parts of chemically bleached sulphite cellulose which has been ground in a Hollander with 2000 parts of water. After 15 minutes mixing the mixture is sized. Paper produced from this mass has the same colour as the leather dyed with the dyestuffs as given in Application Example A and is of medium intensity with good wet fastness properties.

APPLICATION EXAMPLE D

An absorbent paper web of unsized paper is drawn through a dyestuff solution of the following constitution:

0.5 part of a dyestuff of Examples 1 to 5

0.5 part starch

99.0 parts of water.

Excess dyestuff solution is squeezed out by pressing between two rollers. The dried paper web has the same colour as the leather dyed with the dyestuffs as given in Application Example A.

Similar good paper dyeings can be obtained by using equivalent quantities of a liquid preparation or a granular preparation of the dyestuff for the pure dyestuff in the above Application Examples A to D. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A metal complex which is(i) a 1:1 or 1:2 metal complex of a dye of the formula ##STR197## (ii) a 1:2 metal complex of two dyes of said formula or (iii) a 1:2 metal complex of a dye of said formula and a further metallizable compound,wherein each A₁ is independently --OH or --NH₂, each A₂ is independently --OH or --NH₂, each A₃ is independently hydrogen or --OH, with the proviso that when c is 1, A₃ is --OH, and when c is 2, at least one A₃ is --OH, each D is independently a diazo component radical, each R₂ is independently hydrogen, nitro, --SO₂ NH₂, --OH --SO₂ NHR₁, --SO₂ NR₆ R_(6a), --SO₂ --NH--(CH₂)_(p) --Z₂, --NH₂, C₁₋₄ alkyl or C₁₋₄ alkoxy, wherein R₁ is C₁₋₄ alkyl, 2-hydroxyethyl or --(CH₂)_(p) --N(R_(1a))₂, wherein each R_(1a) is independently propyl or butyl, R₆ is C₁₋₄ alkyl, 2-hydroxyethyl or --(CH₂)_(p) --N(R₆ ')₂, wherein each R₆ ' is independently C₁₋₄ alkyl, R_(6a) is C₁₋₄ alkyl, 2-hydroxyethyl, --(CH₂)_(p) --N(R₆ ')₂ or --CH₂ CH₂ --O--R₆ ', wherein R₆ ' is as defined above, each R₃ is independently hydrogen, nitro, --SO₂ NH₂, --SO₂ NHR₁, --SO₂ NR₆ R_(6a), C₁₋₄ alkyl, C₁₋₄ alkoxy, ##STR198## --N═N--K₁, --CO--NH--(CH₂)_(p) --Z₂, --NH--CO--(CH₂)_(p) --Z₂, --SO₂ --NH--(CH₂)_(p) --Z₂ or --CH₂ --Z₂, wherein K₁ is ##STR199## wherein R₉ is C₁₋₄ alkyl or --(CH₂)_(p) --Z₂, R₁₀ is hydrogen, C₁₋₄ alkyl, C₁₋₄ alkoxy, acetamido or ureido, R₂₅ is C₁₋₄ alkyl, (C₁₋₄ alkoxy)carbonyl or carboxy, R₂₆ is hydrogen, halo, C₁₋₄ alkyl or C₁₋₄ alkoxy, R₁₂₄ is C₁₋₄ alkyl or --(CH₂)_(p) --Z₂, R₁₂₅ is --(CH₂)_(p) --Z₂, --NH--(CH₂)_(p) --Z₂ or ##STR200## wherein R₁₂₆ is hydrogen, --OH, C₁₋₄ alkoxy, --NH--CO--(CH₂)_(p) --Z₂, --CO--NH--(CH₂)_(p) --Z₂, --SO₂ --NH--(CH₂)_(p) --Z₂, --(CH₂)_(p) --Z₂ or ##STR201## and R₁₅₁ is hydrogen or --(CH₂)_(p) --Z₂, each Wa is independently --(CH₂)_(s) --, --NHCO--(CH₂)_(s) --*, --CONH--(CH₂)_(s) --* or --SO₂ NH--(CH₂)_(s) *, wherein s is 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6, and the asterisked end is bound to the nitrogen atom of the Z₂ group, Y_(a) is hydrogen, C₁₋₄ alkyl, 2-hydroxyethyl or --(CH₂)_(p) --Z₂, Y_(a) ' is C₁₋₄ alkyl, and m is 0, 1 or 2, R₅ is hydrogen, C₁₋₄ alkyl or C₁₋₄ alkoxy, R₅ ' is C₁₋₄ alkyl, R₇ is hydrogen, --OH, C₁₋₄ alkyl, C₁₋₄ alkoxy, acetamido or ureido, R₈ is hydrogen, --NH--CO--(CH₂)_(p) --Z₂ or ##STR202## n_(o) is 1, 2 or an average between 1 and 2, each --CH₂ --Z₂ group attached to a benzothiazolylphenyl group is independently attached to ring J or ring K, and R₁, R₆ and R_(6a) are as defined above, each R₁₀₀ is independently hydrogen, halo, hydroxy, C₁₋₄ alkyl, C₁₋₄ alkoxy or ureido, with the proviso that when a ring B' does not contain an R_(t) " group, the R₁₀₀ on the adjacent ring C' must be hydrogen, each R_(t) " is independently ##STR203## wherein R₄ is hydrogen, nitro, C₁₋₄ alkyl or C₁₋₄ alkoxy, each --CH₂ --Z₂ group attached to a benzothiazolylphenyl group is independently attached to ring J or ring K, and R₂, R₃, R₅ and n_(o) are as defined above, each W is independently a direct bond or a bridging radical, X' is a direct bond, straight or branched C₁₋₄ alkylene, ##STR204## wherein R₁₁ is halo, C₁₋₄ alkyl or C₁₋₄ alkoxy, each R₁₂ is independently hydrogen or C₁₋₄ alkyl, R₁₃ is halo, --NHCH₂ CH₂ OH or --N(CH₂ CH₂ OH)₂, R₁₄ is straight or branched C₁₋₄ alkylene, and each q is independently 1, 2, 3 or 4, each a is independently 1 or 2, each b is independently 1, 2 or an average between 1 and 2, both c's are 1 or 2, and each d' is independently 0 or 1, wherein each Z₂ is independently --NH₂, --N(R_(o))₂, --N.sup.⊕ (R_(o))₃ A.sup.⊖, ##STR205## wherein each R_(o) is independently methyl, ethyl, 2-hydroxyethyl, benzyl, acetylmethyl or benzoylmethyl, with the proviso that no nitrogen atom contains more than one member of the group consisting of benzyl, acetylmethyl and benzoylmethyl, and no nitrogen atom contains more than two 2-hydroxyethyl groups, each R₁₂₇ is independently methyl or ethyl, and m is 0, 1 or 2, and each A.sup.⊖ is independently a non-chromophoric anion, and each p is independently 1, 2 or 3, with the provisos that (i) the dye of formula II' contains an average of at least 1.3 basic water-solubilizing groups, (ii) the dye of formula II' is free of sulfo groups, (iii) when c is 2, X' is not attached directly to a ring B' bearing an R_(t) " group, (iv) when c is 2 and a ring B' bears a group of formula αα, X' is directly attached to said group of formula αα or to the ring C' linked to said ring B' through a --N═N-- radical, (v) each --N═N-- radical attached to a ring B' is ortho to at least one of A₁ and A₂, (vi) when an A₁ and an A₃ form a metal-containing radical, said A₃ -bearing phenylazo group is ortho to said A₁, (vii) the negative charge on the complexed metal ion of each 1:2 metal complex is balanced by hydrogen or a non-chromophoric cation, (viii) when the dye of formula II' is in 1:2 metal complex form with another metallizable compound, the other metallizable compound of the 1:2 metal complex also contains an average of at least 1.3 basic water-solubilizing groups, and (ix) when X' is attached to a ring C', at least one of R₂, R₃ and R₁₀₀ on that ring is hydrogen.
 2. A metal complex according to claim 1 which is (i) a 1:1 or 1:2 metal complex of a dye of the formula ##STR206## or (ii) a 1:2 metal complex of two dyes of said formula, wherein each [(Z₂)_(a) --W]_(b) --D-- is independently ##STR207## wherein R₁₅ is hydrogen, hydroxy, methyl, methoxy or chloro, R₁₆ is hydrogen or methyl, each Z₂ is independently ##STR208## wherein each R_(o) is independently methyl, ethyl, 2-hydroxyethyl, benzyl, acetylmethyl or benzoylmethyl, with the proviso that no nitrogen atom contains more than one member of the group consisting of benzyl, acetylmethyl and benzoylmethyl, and no nitrogen atom contains more than two 2-hydroxyethyl groups, each R₁₂₇ is independently methyl or ethyl, A.sup.⊖ is a non-chromophoric anion, m is 0, 1 or 2, and p is 1, 2 or 3, n_(o) ' is 1, 2 or an average between 1.0 and 1.7, each q_(o) is independently 2, 3, 4 or 5, and each --CH₂ --Z₂ group attached to a methylbenzothiazolylphenyl group is independently attached to ring J or ring K, with the proviso that the dye of formula II' contains at least two basic water-solubilizing groups.
 3. A 1:1 metal complex according to claim 1 having the formula ##STR209## wherein A₁ ' is --O-- or --NH--, A₂ is --OH or --NH₂, R_(2a) is hydrogen, nitro, --SO₂ NH₂, --SO₂ NH--CH₃, --SO₂ N(CH₃)₂, --SO₂ --N(CH₃)--CH₂ CH₂ --O--CH₃, --SO₂ NH--CH₂ CH₂ OH, --SO₂ N(CH₂ CH₂ OH)₂, --SO₂ N(CH₂ CH₂ --N(CH₃)₂)₂ or --SO₂ NH--(CH_(2l) )₃ --Z₂, R_(3a) is hydrogen, nitro, methyl, methoxy, --SO₂ NH₂, --SO₂ NH--CH₃, --SO₂ N(CH₃)₂, --SO₂ --N(CH₃)--CH₂ CH₂ OH, --SO₂ NH--CH₂ CH₂ OH, --SO₂ N(CH₂ CH₂ OH)₂, --NH--CO--(CH₂)_(p) --Z₂, --CO--NH--(CH₂)_(p) --Z₂, --SO₂ NH--(CH₂)_(p) --Z₂, --CH₂ --Z₂, ##STR210## wherein K₁ ' is ##STR211## wherein R₉ ' is hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, i-propyl, n-butyl, i-butyl, 2-hydroxyethyl or --(CH₂)_(p) --Z₂, R_(9a) is methyl, ethyl or C₂ H₄ --Z₂, R_(10a) is hydrogen, methyl, methoxy, acetamido or ureido, R₂₆ is hydrogen, halo, C₁₋₄ alkyl or C₁₋₄ alkoxy, Wa is --(CH₂)_(s) --, --NHCO--(CH₂)₂ *, --CONH--(CH₂)_(s) *-- or --SO₂ NH--(CH₂)_(s) *--, wherein s is 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6, and the asterisk indicates the end attached to the Z₂ group, and m is 0, 1 or 2, R_(7a) is hydrogen, hydroxy, methyl, methoxy, acetamido or ureido, R_(8a) is hydrogen, --NHCO--(CH₂)_(p) --Z₂ or ##STR212## n_(o) ' is 1, 2 or an average between 1 and 1.7, and each --CH₂ --Z₂ group on a methylbenzothiazolylphenyl group is independently attached tp ring J or ring K, R_(t) "' is ##STR213## wherein R_(4a) is hydrogen, nitro, methyl or methoxy, R_(2a), R_(3a) and n_(o) ' are as defined above, and each --CH₂ --Z₂ group on a methylbenzothiazolylphenyl group is independently attached to ring J or ring K, (Z₂)_(a) --D₁ -- is ##STR214## wherein R₁₅ is hydrogen, hydroxy, methoxy, methyl or chloro, R₁₆ is hydrogen or methyl, n_(o) ' is 1, 2 or an average between 1.0 and 1.7, each q_(o) is independently 2, 3, 4 or 5 and each --CH₂ --Z₂ group on a methylbenzothiazolylphenyl group is independently attached to ring J or ring K, and Me_(a) is copper, cobalt, iron or chromium, and d' is 0 or 1, wherein each Z₂ is independently ##STR215## wherein each R_(o) is independently methyl, ethyl, 2-hydroxyethyl, benzyl, acetylmethyl or benzoylmethyl, with the proviso that no nitrogen atom contains more than one member of the group consisting of benzyl, acetylmethyl and benzoylmethyl, and no nitrogen atom contains more than two 2-hydroxyethyl groups, each R₁₂₇ is independently methyl or ethyl, and m is 0, 1 or 2, and each A.sup.⊖ is independently a non-chromophoric anion, and each p is independently 1, 2 or 3, with the provisos that (i) the metal complex of formula IId contains an average of at least 1.3 basic water-solubilizing groups, and (ii) the R_(2a) -bearing phenylazo group is ortho to A₁ '.
 4. A 1:1 metal complex according to claim 1 having the formula ##STR216## wherein each A₁ ' is independently --O-- or --NH--, each A₂ is independently --OH or --NH₂, each R_(t) ^(iv) is independently ##STR217## wherein R_(2d) is hydrogen, hydroxy, methyl or methoxy, R_(3a) is hydrogen, nitro, methyl, methoxy, --SO₂ NH₂, --SO₂ NH--CH₃, --SO₂ N(CH₃)₂, --SO₂ --N(CH₃)--CH₂ CH₂ OH, --SO₂ NH--CH₂ CH₂ OH, --SO₂ N(CH₂ CH₂ OH)₂, --NH--CO--(CH₂)_(p) --Z₂, --CO--NH--(CH₂)_(p) --Z₂, --SO₂ NH--(CH₂)_(p) --Z₂, --CH₂ --Z₂, ##STR218## wherein K₁ ' is ##STR219## wherein R₉ ' is hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, i-propyl, n-butyl, i-butyl, 2-hydroxyethyl or --(CH₂)_(p) --Z₂, R_(9a) is methyl, ethyl, or --C₂ H, R_(10a) is hydrogen, methyl, methoxy, acetamido or ureido, R₂₆ is hydrogen, halo, C₁₋₄ alkyl or C₁₋₄ alkoxy, Wa is --(CH₂)_(s) --, --NHCO--(CH₂)_(s) *--, --CONH--(CH₂)_(s) *-- or --SO₂ NH--(CH₂)_(s) *--, wherein s is 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6, and the asterisk indicates the end attached to the Z₂ group, and m is 0, 1 or 2, R_(7a) is hydrogen, hydroxy, methyl, methoxy, acetamido or ureido, R_(8a) is hydrogen, --NHCO--(CH₂)_(p) --Z₂ or ##STR220## n_(o) ' is 1, 2 or an average between 1 and 1.7, and each --CH₂ --Z₂ group on a methylbenzothiazolylphenyl group is independently attached to ring J or ring K, and R_(4a) is hydrogen, nitro, methyl or methoxy, n_(o) ' is 1, 2 or an average between 1 and 1.7, and each --CH₂ --Z₂ group on a methylbenzothiazolylphenyl group is independently attached to ring J or ring K, X_(a) is a direct bond, ##STR221## wherein R_(13a) is chloro, --NHCH₂ CH₂ OH or --N(CH₂ CH₂ OH)₂, and q is 1, 2, 3 or 4, each (Z₂)_(a) --D₁ is independently ##STR222## wherein R₁₅ is hydrogen, hydroxy, methoxy, methyl or chloro, R₁₆ is hydrogen or methyl, n_(o) ' is 1, 2 or an average between 1.0 and 1.7, each q_(o) is independently 2, 3, 4, or 5 and each --CH₂ --Z₂ group on a methylbenzothiazolylphenyl group is independently attached to ring J or ring K, each Me_(a) independently is copper, cobalt, iron, or chromium, and each d' independently is 0 or 1, wherein each Z₂ is independently ##STR223## wherein each R_(o) is independently methyl, ethyl, 2-hydroxyethyl, benzyl, acetylmethyl or benzoylmethyl, with the proviso that no nitrogen atom contains more than one member of the group consisting of benzyl, acetylmethyl and benzoylmethyl, and no nitrogen atom contains more than two 2-hydroxyethyl groups, each R₁₂₇ is independently methyl or ethyl, and m is 0, 1 or 2, and each A.sup.⊖ is independently a non-chromophoric anion, each p is independently 1, 2 or 3, with the provisos that (i) the metal complex of formula IIf contains an average of at least 1.3 basic water-solubilizing groups, and (ii) each X_(a) -bearing phenylazo group is ortho to A₁ '.
 5. A 1:1 metal complex according to claim 1 having the formula ##STR224## wherein each A₁ ' is independently --O-- or --NH--, each A₂ is independently --OH or --NH₂, each R_(3a) is independently hydrogen, nitro, methyl, methoxy, --SO₂ NH₂, --SO₂ NH--CH₃, --SO₂ N(CH₃)₂, --SO₂ --N(CH₃)--CH₂ CH₂ OH, --SO₂ NH--CH₂ CH₂ OH, --SO₂ N(CH₂ CH₂ OH)₂, --NH--CO--(CH₂)_(p) --Z₂, --CO--NH--(CH₂)_(p) --Z₂, --SO₂ NH--(CH₂)_(p) --Z₂, --CH₂ --Z₂, ##STR225## wherein K₁ ' is ##STR226## wherein R₉ ' is hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, i-propyl, n-butyl, i-butyl, 2-hydroxyethyl or --(CH₂)_(p) --Z₂, R_(9a) is methyl, ethyl or --C₂ H₄ --Z₂, R_(10a) is hydrogen, methyl, methoxy, acetamido or ureido, R₂₆ is hydrogen, halo, C₁₋₄ alkyl or C₁₋₄ alkoxy, Wa is --(CH₂)_(s) --, --NHCO--(CH₂)_(s) *--, --CONH--(CH₂)_(s) *-- or --SO₂ NH--(CH₂)_(s) *--, wherein s is 1,2,3,4,5 or 6, the asterisk indicates the end attached to the Z₂ group, and m is 0, 1 or 2, R_(7a) is hydrogen, hydroxy, methyl, methoxy, acetamido or uredio, R_(8a) is hydrogen, --NHCO--(CH₂)_(p) --Z₂ or ##STR227## n_(o) ' is 1, 2 or an average between 1 and 1.7, and each --CH₂ --Z₂ group on a methylbenzothiazolylphenyl group is independently attached to ring J or ring K, each R_(4a) is independently hydrogen, nitro, methyl or methoxy, each R₇₀ is independently hydrogen, methyl or methoxy, X_(a) is a direct bond, ##STR228## wherein R_(13a) is chloro, --NHCH₂ CH₂ OH or --N(CH₂ CH₂ OH)₂, and q is 1, 2, 3 or 4, each (Z₂)_(a) --D₁ -- is independently ##STR229## wherein R₁₅ is hydrogen, hydroxy, methoxy, methyl or chloro, R₁₆ is hydrogen or methyl, n_(o) ' is 1, 2 or an average between 1.0 and 1.7, each q_(o) is independently 2, 3, 4 or 5 and each --CH₂ --Z₂ group on a methylbenzothiazolylphenyl group is independently attached to ring J or ring K, and each Me_(a) is independently copper, cobalt, iron or chromium, wherein each Z₂ is independently ##STR230## wherein each R_(o) is independently methyl, ethyl, 2-hydroxyethyl, benzyl, acetylmethyl or benzoylmethyl, with the proviso that no nitrogen atom contains more than one member of the group consisting of benzyl, acetylmethyl and benzoylmethyl, and no nitrogen atom contains more than two 2-hydroxyethyl groups, each R₁₂₇ is independently methyl or ethyl, and m is 0, 1 or 2, and each A.sup.⊖ is independently a non-chromophoric anion, and each p is independently 1, 2 or 3, with the provisos that (i) the metal complex contains an average of at least 1.3 basic water-solubilizing groups, and (ii) each R_(3a) -bearing phenylazo group is ortho to A₁ '.
 6. A 1:2 metal complex according to claim 1 having the formula ##STR231## wherein each A₁ ' is independently --O-- or --NH--, A₂ is --OH or --NH₂, each R_(2a) is independently hydrogen, nitro, --SO₂ NH₂, --SO₂ NH--CH₃, --SO₂ N(CH₃)₂, --SO₂ --N(CH₃)--CH₂ CH₂ --O--CH₃, --SO₂ NH--CH₂ CH₂ OH, --SO₂ N(CH₂ CH₂ OH)₂, --SO₂ N(CH₂ CH₂ --N(CH₃)₂)₂ or --SO₂ NH--(CH₂)₃ --Z₂, R_(2a) ' is --OH, --NH₂ or R_(2a), wherein R_(2a) is as defined above, each R_(3a) is independently hydrogen, nitro, methyl, methoxy, --SO₂ NH₂, --SO₂ NH--CH₃, --SO₂ N(CH₃)₂, --SO₂ --N(CH₃)--CH₂ CH₂ OH, --SO₂ NH--CH₂ CH₂ OH, --SO₂ N(CH₂ CH₂ OH)₂, --NH--CO--(CH₂)_(p) --Z₂, --CO--NH--(CH₂)_(p) --Z₂, --SO₂ NH--(CH₂)_(p) --Z₂, --CH₂ --Z₂, ##STR232## wherein K₁ ' is ##STR233## wherein R_(9a) is methyl, ethyl or --C₂ H₄ --Z₂, R_(10a) is hydrogen, methyl, methoxy, acetamido or ureido, and R₉ ', R₂₆ and Wa are as defined below, R_(7a) is hydrogen, hydroxy, methyl, methoxy, acetamido or ureido, R_(8a) is hydrogen, --NHCO--(CH₂)_(p) --Z₂ or ##STR234## n_(o) ' is 1, 2 or an average between 1 and 1.7, and each --CH₂ --Z₂ group on a methylbenzothiazolylphenyl group is independently attached to ring J or ring K, R₉ ' is hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, i-propyl, n-butyl, i-butyl, 2-hydroxyethyl or --(CH₂)_(p) --Z₂, R₂₅ is C₁₋₄ alkyl, (C₁₋₄ alkoxy)carbonyl or --COOH, R₄₀ is hydrogen or (Z₂)_(a) --D₁ --N═N--, wherein (Z₂)_(a) --D₁ -- is as defined below, R₄₂ is --(CH₂)_(p) --Z₂, --NH--(CH₂)_(p) --Z₂ or ##STR235## wherein R₄₄ is hydrogen, --OH, C₁₋₄ alkoxy, --NH--CO--(CH₂)_(p) --Z₂, --CO--NH--(CH₂)_(p) --Z₂, --SO₂ --NH--(CH₂)_(p) --Z₂, ##STR236## ps or --(CH₂)_(p) --Z₂, and R₄₅ is hydrogen or --(CH₂)_(p) --Z₂, R₄₃ is methyl, ethyl or --(CH₂)_(p) --Z₂, each R_(t) " is independently ##STR237## wherein R₂ is hydrogen, nitro, --SO₂ NH₂, --OH, --SO₂ NHR₁, --SO₂ NR₆ R_(6a), --SO₂ --NH--(CH₂)_(p) --Z₂, --NH₂, C₁₋₄ alkyl or C₁₋₄ alkoxy, wherein R₁ is C₁₋₄ alkyl, 2-hydroxyethyl or --(CH₂)_(p) --N(R_(1a))₂, wherein each R_(1a) is independently propyl or butyl, R₆ is C₁₋₄ alkyl, 2-hydroxyethyl or --(CH₂)_(p) --N(R₆ ')₂, wherein each R₆ ' is independently C₁₋₄ alkyl, and R_(6a) is C₁₋₄ alkyl, 2-hydroxyethyl, --(CH₂)_(p) --N(R₆ ')₂ or --CH₂ CH₂ --O--R₆ ', wherein R₆ ' is as defined above, R₃ is hydrogen, nitro, --SO₂ NH₂, --SO₂ NHR₁, --SO₂ NR₆ R_(6a), C₁₋₄ alkyl, C₁₋₄ alkoxy, ##STR238## --N═N--K₁, --CO--NH--(CH₂)_(p) --Z₂, --NH--CO--(CH₂)_(p) --Z₂, --SO₂ --NH--(CH₂)_(p) --Z₂ or --CH₂ --Z₂, wherein K₁ is ##STR239## wherein R₉ is C₁₋₄ alkyl or --(CH₂)_(p) --Z₂, R₁₀ is hydrogen, C₁₋₄ alkyl, C₁₋₄ alkoxy, acetamido or ureido, R₂₅ is C₁₋₄ alkyl, (C₁₋₄ alkoxy)-- carbonyl or carboxy, R₂₆ is hydrogen, halo, C₁₋₄ alkyl or C₁₋₄ alkoxy, R₁₂₄ is C₁₋₄ alkyl or --(CH₂)_(p) --Z₂, R₁₂₅ is --(CH₂)_(p) --Z₂, --NH--(CH₂)_(p) --Z₂ or ##STR240## wherein R₁₂₆ is hydrogen, --OH, C₁₋₄ alkoxy, --NH--CO--(CH₂)_(p) --Z₂, --CO--NH--(CH₂)_(p) --Z₂, --SO₂ --NH--(CH₂)_(p) --Z₂, --(CH₂)_(p) --Z₂ or ##STR241## and R₁₅₁ is hydrogen of --(CH₂)_(p) --Z₂, Wa is --(CH₂)_(s) --, --NHCO--(CH₂)_(s) *--, --CONH--(CH₂)_(s) *-- or --SO₂ NH--(CH₂)_(s) *--, wherein s is 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6, and the asterisked end is bound to the nitrogen atom of the Z₂ group, Y_(a) is hydrogen, C₁₋₄ alkyl, 2-hydroxyethyl or --(CH₂)_(p) --Z₂, and Y_(a) ' is C₁₋₄ alkyl, R₅ is hydrogen, C₁₋₄ alkyl or C₁₋₄ alkoxy, R₅ ' is C₁₋₄ alkyl, R₇ is hydrogen, --OH, C₁₋₄ alkyl, C₁₋₄ alkoxy, acetamido or ureido, R₈ is hydrogen, --NH--CO--(CH₂)_(p) --Z₂ or ##STR242## n_(o) is 1, 2 or an average between 1 and 2, each --CH₂ --Z₂ group on a benzothiazolylphenyl group is independently attached to ring J or ring K, and R₁, R₆ and R_(6a) are as defined above, R₄ is hydrogen, nitro, C₁₋₄ alkyl or C₁₋₄ alkoxy, R₅ and n_(o) are as defined above, and each --CH₂ --Z₂ group on a benzothiazolylphenyl group is independently attached to ring J or ring K, (Z₂)_(a) --D₁ -- is ##STR243## wherein R₁₅ is hydrogen, hydroxy, methoxy, methyl or chloro, R₁₆ is hydrogen or methyl, n_(o) ' is 1, 2 or an average between 1.0 and 1.7, and each q_(o) is independently 2, 3, 4 or 5, Me_(g) is cobalt, iron or chromium, and M.sup.⊕ is hydrogen or a monovalent non-chromophoric cation, wherein each Z₂ is independently ##STR244## wherein each R_(o) is independently methyl, ethyl, 2-hydroxyethyl, benzyl, acetylmethyl or benzoylmethyl, with the proviso that no nitrogen atom contains more than one member of the group consisting of benzyl, acetylmethyl and benzoylmethyl, and no nitrogen atom contains more than two 2-hydroxyethyl groups, and each R₁₂₇ is independently methyl or ethyl, each A.sup.⊖ is independently a non-chromophoric anion, each d' is independently 0 or 1, each m is independently 0, 1 or 2, and each p is independently 1, 2 or 3, with the provisos that (i) each metal-free azo compound of the 1:2 metal complex contains an average of at least 1.3 basic water-solubilizing groups, (ii) each --N═N-- radical on ring T is ortho or para to an --OH or --NH₂ group or to A₁ ' and meta to every other --N═N-- radical on said ring, (iii) the maximum number of --N═N-- radicals on ring T is 3, and (iv) each R.sub. 2a -bearing phenylazo group attached to an A₁ '-bearing ring is ortho to A₁ '.
 7. A metal complex according to claim 6 wherein each metal-free compound of the 1:2 metal complex contains at least 2 basic water-solubilizing groups.
 8. A metal complex according to claim 7 having the formula ##STR245##
 9. A metal complex according to claim 7 having the formula ##STR246##
 10. A metal complex according to claim 7 having the formula ##STR247##
 11. A metal complex according to claim 7 having the formula ##STR248##
 12. A metal complex which is(i) a 1:1 or 1:2 metal complex of a dye of the formula ##STR249## (ii) a 1:2 metal complex of two dyes of said formula or (iii) a 1:2 metal complex of a dye of said formula and a further metallizable compound,wherein A₄ is --OH, --NH₂, --COOH or C₁₋₄ alkoxy, K₂ is ##STR250## wherein R₂₄ is hydrogen, C₁₋₄ alkyl, 2-hydroxyethyl, --(CH₂)_(p) --Z₂, benzyl, --N(R₃₀)₂, --(CH₂)₃ --OCH₃, --CH₂ --CH(CH₃)--N(R₃₀)₂ or --CH₂ --C(CH₃)₂ --CH₂ --N(R₃₀)₂, wherein each R₃₀ is independently hydrogen or C₁₋₄ alkyl, R_(24a) is C₁₋₄ alkyl, R₂₅ is C₁₋₄ alkyl, (C₁₋₄ alkoxy)carbonyl or carboxy, R₂₆ is hydrogen, halo, C₁₋₄ alkyl or C₁₋₄ alkoxy, R₂₈ is hydrogen, halo, C₁₋₄ alkyl or C₁₋₄ alkoxy, R₂₉ is hydrogen, C₁₋₄ alkyl, C₁₋₄ alkoxy, halo, --NH--(CH₂)_(s) --Z₂ or --NHCH₂ CH₂ OH, R₃₂ is hydrogen, ##STR251## wherein R₅ is hydrogen, C₁₋₄ alkyl or C₁₋₄ alkoxy, R₂₆ is hydrogen, halo, C₁₋₄ alkyl or C₁₋₄ alkoxy, R₃₃ is hydrogen, halo, C₁₋₄ alkyl, C₁₋₄ alkoxy, --SO₂ NH₂ or --SO₂ N(CH₃)₂, Z_(o) is --S--, --O-- or --NR₃₅ '--, wherein R₃₅ ' is hydrogen, C₁₋₄ alkyl or (C₁₋₄ alkoxy)carbonylmethyl, and Wa is defined below, R_(35a) is C₁₋₄ alkyl, R₁₅₂ is methyl or carboxy, R₁₅₃ is C₁₋₄ alkyl, T is ##STR252## --CO--NH₂, --NH₂, --N(CH₃)₂, --N.sup.⊕ (CH₃)₃ A.sup.⊖ or --CN, wherein each R₁₂₇ and m are as defined below, and Z_(o) is as defined above, Wa is --(CH₂)_(s) --, --NHCO--(CH₂)_(s) --*, --CONH--(CH₂)_(s) --* or --SO₂ NH--(CH₂)_(s) --*, wherein the asterisked end is bound to the nitrogen atom of the Z₂ group, yo' is --OH or --NH₂, and d' is 0 to 1, R₂₀ is hydrogen or nitro, R₂₁ is hydrogen, nitro, --NH--CO--(CH₂)_(s) --Z₂, --CH₂ --Z₂, --SO₂ --NH--(CH₂)_(s) --Z₂, --SO₂ NH₂, --CO--CH₂ --Z₂, --CO--NH--(CH₂)_(s) --Z₂, ##STR253## R₂₂ is hydrogen, nitro, --SO₂ NH₂, --SO₂ N(R_(22a))₂, --SO₂ --NH--(CH₂)_(s) --OH, --CH₂ --Z₂, --SO₂ --NH--(CH₂)_(s) --Z₂, --CO--NH--(CH₂)_(s) --Z₂, --NH--CO--(CH₂)_(s) --Z₂, ##STR254## wherein each R_(22a) is independently C₁₋₄ alkyl, and R₂₃ is hydrogen or methyl, wherein each Z₂ is independently --NH₂, --N(R_(o))₂, --N.sup.⊕ (R_(o))₃ A.sup.⊖, ##STR255## wherein each R_(o) is independently methyl, ethyl, 2-hydroxyethyl, benzyl, acetylmethyl or benzoylmethyl, with the proviso that no nitrogen atom contains more than one member of the group consisting of benzyl, acetylmethyl and benzoylmethyl, and no nitrogen atom contains more than two 2-hydroxyethyl groups, each R₁₂₇ is independently methyl or ethyl, and m is 0, 1 or 2, and each A.sup.⊖ is independently a non-chromophoric anion, each p is independently 1, 2 or 3, and each s is independently 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6, with the provisos that (i) the dye of formula III contains at least two basic water-solubilizing groups, (ii) at least one of R₂₀ and R₂₁ is other than nitro, (iii) R₂₁ and R₂₂ are different unless both are hydrogen, (iv) R₂₀ is hydrogen when both R₂₁ and R₂₂ are hydrogen, (v) at least one of R₂₀ -R₂₃ is hydrogen, (vi) when K₂ is ##STR256## at least one of R₂₁ and R₂₂ contains at least one Z₂ group, (vii) the negative charge on the complexed metal ion of each 1:2 metal complex is balanced by hydrogen or a non-chromophoric cation, and (viii) when the dye of formula III is in 1:2 metal complex form with another metallizable compound, the other metallizable compound contains an average of at least 1.3 basic water-solubilizing groups.
 13. A metal complex according to claim 12 which is (i) a 1:1 or 1:2 metal complex of a dye of the formula ##STR257## or (ii) a 1:2 metal complex of two dyes of said formula.
 14. A metal complex according to claim 13 with the proviso that the dye of formula III contains 2-6 basic water-solubilizing groups.
 15. A metal complex according to claim 13 having the formula ##STR258## wherein R_(21a) is hydrogen, --CH₂ --Z₂, --NH--CO--(CH₂)_(a) --Z₂, --CO--CH₂ --Z₂, nitro, --SO₂ NH₂, --CO--NH--(CH₂)_(m') --Z₂, --SO₂ --NH--(CH₂)_(m') --Z₂ or ##STR259## R_(22a) is hydrogen, nitro, --SO₂ NH₂, --SO₂ --NH--(CH₂)₂ --OH, --CH₂ Z₂, --NH--CO--(CH₂)_(a) --Z₂, --SO₂ --NH--(CH₂)_(m') --Z₂ or ##STR260## R₂₃ is hydrogen or methyl, R₂₄ ' is hydrogen, --N(CH₃)₂, methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, i-propyl, n-butyl, i-butyl, benzyl, 2-hydroxyethyl, --(CH₂)_(m') --Z₂, --CH₂ --CH(CH₃)--N(CH₃)₂ or --CH₂ --C(CH₃)₂ --CH₂ --N(CH₃)₂, Me_(a) is copper, cobalt, iron or chromium, and d' is 0 or 1, wherein each Z₂ is independently --NH₂, --N(R_(o))₂, --N.sup.⊕ (R_(o))₃ A.sup.⊖, ##STR261## wherein each R_(o) is independently methyl, ethyl, 2-hydroxyethyl, benzyl, acetylmethyl or benzoylmethyl, with the proviso that no nitrogen atom contains more than one member of the group consisting of benzyl, acetylmethyl and benzoylmethyl, and no nitrogen atom contains more than two 2-hydroxyethyl groups, each R₁₂₇ is independently methyl or ethyl, m is 0, 1 or 2, and p is 1, 2 or 3, each A.sup.⊖ is independently a non-chromophoric anion, each a is independently 1 or 2, and each m' is independently 2 or 3, with the provisos that (i) the complex contains at least two basic water-soluvilizing groups, and (ii) R_(21a) and R_(22a) are different unless both are hydrogen.
 16. A metal complex according to claim 13 having the formula ##STR262## wherein A₄ " is --O-- or --COO--, --O--K₅ -- is ##STR263## wherein R_(g) "' is hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, i-propyl, n-butyl, i-butyl, 2-hydroxyethyl or --(CH₂)_(p) --Z₃, R₅₀ is hydrogen, chloro, bromo, methyl or methoxy, R₅₁ is --(CH₂)_(q) --, --NHCO--(CH₂)_(q) --*, --CONH--(CH₂)_(q) --* or --SO₂ NH--(CH₂)_(q) --*, wherein the asterisked end is bound to the nitrogen atom of the Z₃ group, R₅₂ is hydrogen, chloro, bromo, methyl or methoxy, R₅₃ is hydrogen, --NH--(CH₂)_(q) --Z₃, --NH--CH₂ CH₂ OH, chloro, bromo, methyl or methoxy, R₅₄ is hydrogen, ##STR264## wherein R₅₅ is hydrogen, chloro, bromo, methyl, methoxy, --SO₂ NH₂ or --SO₂ N(CH₃)₂, and R₅₀ and R₅₁ are as defined above, and T_(z) is ##STR265## or --CN, R₂₀ is hydrogen or nitro, R_(21d) is hydrogen, nitro, --NH--CO--(CH₂)_(q) --Z₃, --CH₂ --Z₃, --SO₂ NH₂, --SO₂ --NH--(CH₂)_(q) --Z₃, ##STR266## R_(22d) is hydrogen, --CH₂ --Z₃, --SO₂ N(CH₃)₂, nitro, --SO₂ --NH--(CH₂)_(q) --OH, ##STR267## --SO₂ --NH--(CH₂)_(q) --Z₃, --CO--NH-(CH₂)_(q) --Z₃ or --NH--CO--(CH₂)_(q) --Z₃, and Me_(a) is copper, cobalt, iron or chromium, wherein each Z₃ is independently ##STR268## and each A.sup.⊖ is independently a non-chromophoric anion, each d' is independently 0 or 1, and each p is independently 1, 2 or 3, each q is independently 1, 2, 3 or 4, with the provisos that (i) the complex contains at least two basic water-solubilizing groups, (ii) at least one of R₂₀ and R_(21d) is other than nitro, (iii) R_(21d) and R_(22d) are different unless both are hydrogen, (iv) R₂₀ is hydrogen when both R_(21d) and R_(22d) are hydrogen, and (v) when --O--K₅ -- is a radical of formula IIIbf, at least one of R_(21d) and R_(22d) contains at least one Z₃ group.
 17. A metal complex according to claim 13 having the formula ##STR269## wherein each R_(21a) is independently hydrogen, --CH₂ --Z₂, --NH--CO--(CH₂)_(a) --Z₂, --CO--CH₂ --Z₂, nitro, --SO₂ --NH₂, --CO--NH--(CH₂)_(m') --Z₂, --SO₂ --NH--(CH₂)_(m') --Z₂ or ##STR270## each R_(22a) is independently hydrogen, nitro, --SO₂ NH₂, --SO₂ --NH--(CH₂)₂ --OH, --CH₂ --Z₂, --NH--CO--(CH₂)_(a) --Z₂, --SO₂ --NH--(CH₂)_(m') --Z₂ or ##STR271## each R₂₃ is independently hydrogen or methyl, each T_(x) is independently ##STR272## wherein R₂₄ ' is hydrogen, --N(CH₃)₂, methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, i-propyl, n-butyl, i-butyl, benzyl, 2-hydroxyethyl, --(CH₂)_(m') --Z₂, --CH₂ --CH(CH₃)--N(CH₃)₂ or --CH₂ --C(CH₃)₂ --CH₂ --N(CH₃)₂, and d' is 0 or 1, M.sup.⊕ is hydrogen or a monovalent non-chromophoric cation, and Me_(g) is chromium, iron or cobalt, wherein each Z₂ is independently ##STR273## wherein each R_(o) is independently methyl, ethyl, 2-hydroxyethyl, benzyl, acetylmethyl or benzoylmethyl, with the proviso that no nitrogen atom contains more than one member of the group consisting of benzyl, acetylmethyl and benzoylmethyl, and no nitrogen atom contains more than two 2-hydroxyethyl groups, each R₁₂₇ is independently methyl or ethyl, m is 0, 1 or 2, and p is 1, 2 or 3, each A.sup.⊖ is independently a non-chromophoric anion, each a is independently 1 or 2, and each m' is independently 2 or 3, with the provisos that (i) each metal-free dye of the 1:2 metal complex contains at least two basic water-solubilizing groups, and (ii) R_(21a) and R_(22a) on the same ring are different unless both are hydrogen.
 18. A metal complex according to claim 17 with the provisos that (i) each disazo dye of the metal complex contains 2-4 basic water-solubilizing groups, and (ii) at least one of R_(21a) and R_(22a) on the same ring is hydrogen.
 19. A metal complex according to claim 13 having the formula ##STR274## wherein each A₄ " is independently --O-- or --COO--, each --O--K₅ -- is independently ##STR275## wherein R_(g) "' is hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, i-propyl, n-butyl, i-butyl, 2-hydroxyethyl or --(CH₂)_(p) --Z₃, R₅₀ is hydrogen, chloro, bromo, methyl or methoxy, R₅₁ is --(CH₂)_(q--), --NHCO--(CH₂)_(q) --*, --CONH--(CH₂)_(q) --* or --SO₂ NH--(CH₂)_(q) --*, wherein the asterisked end is bound to the nitrogen atom of the Z₃ group, R₅₂ is hydrogen, chloro, bromo, methyl or methoxy, R₅₃ is hydrogen, --NH--(CH₂)_(q) --Z₃, --NH--CH₂ CH₂ OH, chloro, bromo, methyl or methoxy, R₅₄ is hydrogen, ##STR276## wherein R₅₅ is hydrogen, chloro, bromo, methyl, methoxy, --SO₂ NH₂ or --SO₂ N(CH₃)₂, and R₅₀ and R₅₁ are as defined above, and T_(z) is ##STR277## or --CN, each R₂₀ is independently hydrogen or nitro, each R_(21d) is independently hydrogen, nitro, --NH--CO--(CH₂)_(q) --Z₃, --CH₂ --Z₃, --SO₂ NH₂, --SO₂ --NH--(CH₂)_(q) --Z₃, ##STR278## or --CO--NH--(CH₂)_(q) --Z₃, each R_(22d) is independently hydrogen, --CH₂ --Z₃, --SO₂ N(CH₃)₂, nitro, --S₂ --NH--(CH₂)_(q) --OH, ##STR279## --SO₂ --NH--(CH₂)_(q) --Z₃, --CO--NH--(CH₂)_(q) --Z₃ or --NH--CO--(CH₂)_(q) --Z₃, and M.sup.⊕ is hydrogen or a non-chromophoric monovalent cation, and Me_(g) is chromium, iron or cobalt, wherein each Z₃ is independently ##STR280## each A.sup.⊖ is independently a non-chromophoric anion, each p is independently 1, 2 or 3, and each d' is independently 0 or 1, each q is independently 1, 2, 3 or 4, with the provisos that (i) each metal-free dye of the 1:2 metal complex contains at least two basic water-solubilizing groups, (ii) at least one of R₂₀ and R_(21d) on the same ring is other than nitro, (iii) R_(21d) and R_(22d) on the same ring are different unless both are hydrogen, (iv) R₂₀ is hydrogen when both R_(21d) and R_(22d) on the same ring are hydrogen, and (v) when an --O--K₅ -- is a radical of formula IIIbf, at least one of R_(21d) and R_(22d) on the same monoazo compound contains at least one Z₃ group.
 20. A metal complex which is(i) a 1:1 or 1:2 metal complex of a dye of the formula ##STR281## (ii) a 1:2 metal complex of two dyes of said formula or (iii) a 1:2 metal complex of a dye of said formula and a further metallizable compound,wherein A₁ is --OH or --NH₂, A₂ is --OH or --NH₂, A₅ is --OH, --COOH or C₁₋₄ alkoxy, B₂ is ##STR282## wherein X' is a direct bond, straight or branched C₁₋₄ alkylene, ##STR283## wherein R₁₁ is halo, C₁₋₄ alkyl or C₁₋₄ alkoxy, each R₁₂ is independently hydrogen or C₁₋₄ alkyl, R₁₃ is halo, --NHCH₂ CH₂ OH or --N(CH₂ CH₂ OH)₂, R₁₄ is straight or branched C₁₋₄ alkylene, and each q is independently 1, 2, 3 or 4, B₃ is ##STR284## wherein each R₆₅ is independently hydrogen, C₁₋₄ alkyl or C₁₋₄ alkoxy, K₇ is ##STR285## wherein R₉ is C₁₋₄ alkyl or --(CH₂)_(p) --Z₂, R₁₀ is hydrogen, C₁₋₄ alkyl, C₁₋₄ alkoxy, acetamido or ureido, R₂₅ is C₁₋₄ alkyl, (C₁₋₄ alkoxy)carbonyl or carboxy, R₂₆ is hydrogen, halo, C₁₋₄ alkyl or C₁₋₄ alkoxy, R₆₆ is hydrogen, C₁₋₄ alkyl, 2-hydroxyethyl or --(CH₂)_(p) --Z₂, R₆₆ ' is C₁₋₄ alkyl, R₆₇ is --N(CH₃)₂ or --N.sup.⊕ (CH₃)₃ A.sup.⊖, R₆₈ is --(CH₂)_(p) --Z₂, --NH--(CH₂)_(p) --Z₂ or ##STR286## wherein R₇₁ is hydrogen, --OH, C₁₋₄ alkoxy, --NH--CO--(CH₂)_(p) --Z₂, --CO--NH--(CH₂)_(p) --Z₂, --SO₂ --NH--(CH₂)_(p) --Z₂, --(CH₂)_(p) --Z₂ or ##STR287## and R₇₂ is hydrogen or --(CH₂)_(p) --Z₂, R₆₉ is C₁₋₄ alkyl or --(CH₂)_(p) --Z₂, with the proviso that at least one of R₆₈ and R₆₉ contains at least one Z₂ group, Ta is ##STR288## wherein R₁₂₇ and m are as defined below, T_(1a) is --CN or --CONH₂, and Wa is --(CH₂)_(s) --, --NHCO--(CH₂)_(s) --*, --CONH--(CH₂)_(s) --* or --SO₂ NH--(CH₂)_(s) --*, wherein the asterisk indicates the end attached to the nitrogen atom of the Z₂ group, and s is 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6, R₆₀ is hydrogen or nitro, each of R₆₁ and R₆₂ is independently hydrogen, nitro, --CH₂ --Z₂, --SO₂ --NH₂, --SO₂ --NH--(CH₂)_(p) --Z₂, --SO₂ --NH--C₂ H₄ OH, --SO₂ --N(R₆₂ ')₂, --CO--NH--(CH₂)_(p) --Z₂, --NH--CO--(CH₂)_(p) --Z₂ ##STR289## wherein each R₆₂ ' is independently C₁₋₄ alkyl, each R₆₃ is independently --SO₂ --NH--(CH₂)_(p) --Z₂, --CO--NH--(CH₂)_(p) --Z₂, --NH--CO--(CH₂)_(p) --Z₂, ##STR290## or --CH₂ --Z₂, R₆₄ is hydrogen or C₁₋₄ alkoxy, both e's are 0 or 1, and q' is 1 or 2, with the proviso that q' must be 2 when an R₆₃ is --CONH--(CH₂)_(p) --Z₂, wherein each Z₂ is independently ##STR291## wherein each R_(o) is independently methyl, ethyl, 2-hydroxyethyl, benzyl, acetylmethyl or benzoylmethyl, with the proviso that no nitrogen atom contains more than one member of the group consisting of benzyl, acetylmethyl and benzoylmethyl, and no nitrogen atom contains more than two 2-hydroxyethyl groups, each R₁₂₇ is independently methyl or ethyl, and m is 0, 1 or 2, and each A.sup.⊖ is independently a non-chromophoric anion, and each p is independently 1, 2 or 3, with the provisos that (i) the dye of formula IV contains at least two basic water-solubilizing groups, (ii) at least one of R₆₀ and R₆₁ is other than nitro, (iii) R₆₀ is hydrogen when both R₆₁ and R₆₂ are hydrogen, (iv) R₆₁ and R₆₂ are different unless both are hydrogen, (v) the negative charge on the complexed metal ion of each 1:2 metal complex is balanced by hydrogen or a non-chromophoric cation, and (vi) when the dye of formula IV is in 1:2 metal complex form with another metallizable compound, the other metallizable compound contains an average of at least 1.3 basic water-solubilizing groups.
 21. A metal complex according to claim 20 which is (i) a 1:1 or 1:2 metal complex of a dye of the formula ##STR292## or (ii) a 1:2 metal complex of two dyes of said formula.
 22. A metal complex according to claim 21 with the proviso that the dye of formula IV contains 2-6 basic water-solubilizing groups.
 23. A 1:2 metal complex according to claim 21 having the formula ##STR293## wherein A₁ ' is --O-- or --NH--, A₂ is --OH or --NH₂, A₅ " is --O-- or --COO--, R₆₀ is hydrogen or nitro, R_(61a) is hydrogen, --NO₂, --CH₂ --Z₂, --SO₂ --NH--(CH₂)_(p) --Z₂, --SO₂ NH₂, --NH--CO--(CH₂)_(p) --Z₂, ##STR294## R_(62a) is hydrogen, --NO₂, --CH₂ --Z₂, --SO₂ --NH₂, --SO₂ --NH--(CH₂)_(p) --Z₂, --CO--NH--(CH₂)_(p) --Z₂, --NH--CO--(CH₂)_(p) --Z₂, ##STR295## B₂ ' is ##STR296## X_(a) is a direct bond, ##STR297## wherein R_(13a) is chloro, --NHCH₂ CH₂ OH or --N(CH₂ CH₂ OH)₂, and and q is 1, 2, 3 or 4, K₇ ' is ##STR298## wherein R_(9a) is methyl, ethyl or --CH₂ CH₂ --Z₂, R_(10a) is hydrogen, methyl, methoxy, acetamido or ureido, R₂₆ is hydrogen, halo, C₁₋₄ alkyl or C₁₋₄ alkoxy, R_(66a) is hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, i-propyl, n-butyl, i-butyl, 2-hydroxyethyl or --(CH₂)_(p) --Z₂, R₆₇ is --N(CH₃)₂ or --N.sup.⊕ (CH₃)₃ A.sup.⊖, R_(68a) is --(CH₂)_(p) --Z₂, --NH--(CH₂)_(p) --Z₂ or ##STR299## wherein R_(71a) is hydrogen, --OH, --OCH₃, --NH--CO--(CH₂)_(p) --Z₂, --CO--NH--(CH₂)_(p) --Z₂, --SO₂ --NH--(CH₂)_(p) --Z₂ or ##STR300## and R_(72a) is hydrogen or --(CH₂)_(p) --Z₂, R_(69a) is methyl, ethyl or --(CH₂)_(p) --Z₂, with the proviso that at least one of R_(68a) and R_(69a) contains at least one Z₂ group, Wa is --(CH₂)_(s) --, --NHCO--(CH₂)_(s) --*, --CONH--(CH₂)_(s) --* or --SO₂ NH--(CH₂)_(s) --*, wherein s is 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6 and the asterisk indicates the end attached to the Z₂ group d' is 0 or 1, and Me_(c) is copper, cobalt or chromium, wherein each Z₂ is independently ##STR301## wherein each R_(o) is independently methyl, ethyl, 2-hydroxyethyl, benzyl, acetylmethyl or benzoylmethyl, with the proviso that no nitrogen atom contains more than one member of the group consisting of benzyl, acetylmethyl and benzoylmethyl, and no nitrogen atom contains more than two 2-hydroxyethyl groups, each R₁₂₇ is independently methyl or ethyl, and m is 0, 1 or 2, each A.sup.⊖ is independently a non-chromophoric anion, and each p is independently 1, 2 or 3, with the provisos that (i) the metal complex of formula IVc contains at least two basic water-solubilizing groups, (ii) at least one of R₆₀ and R_(61a) is other than nitro, (iii) R₆₀ is hydrogen when both R_(61a) and R_(62a) are hydrogen, (iv) R_(61a) and R_(62a) are different unless both are hydrogen, and (v) the A₅ "-bearing phenylazo group is ortho to A₁ '.
 24. A 1:1 metal complex according to claim 21 having the formula ##STR302## wherein A₁ ' is --O-- or --NH--, A₂ is --OH or --NH₂, A₅ " is --O-- or --COO--, R₆₀ is hydrogen or nitro, R_(61a) ' is hydrogen, nitro, --NH--CO--(CH₂)_(a) --Z₂ or ##STR303## R_(62a) ' is hydrogen, nitro, --SO₂ NH₂, --SO₂ N(CH₃)₂, --SO₂ N(C₂ H₅)₂, --SO₂ NH--CH₂ CH₂ OH, --SO₂ NH--(CH₂)_(m') --Z₂, --CO--NH--(CH₂)_(m') --Z₂, --NH--CO--(CH₂)_(a) --Z₂ or ##STR304## with the proviso that R_(62a) ' may be --CO--NH--(CH₂)_(m') --Z₂, --NH--CO--(CH₂)_(a) --Z₂ or ##STR305## only when R₆₀ and R₆₁ ' are both hydrogen, each R_(63a) is independently --SO₂ --NH--(CH₂)_(m') --Z₂, --CO--NH--(CH₂)_(m') --Z₂, --NH--CO--(CH₂)_(a) --Z₂, --CH₂ --Z₂ or ##STR306## R_(64a) is hydrogen or methoxy, each R_(65a) is independently methyl, ethyl, methoxy, or ethoxy, Me_(a) is copper, cobalt, iron or chromium, and k is 1 or 2, with the proviso that k must be 2 when an R_(63a) is --CO--NH--(CH₂)_(m') --Z₂, wherein each Z₂ is independently ##STR307## wherein each R_(o) is independently methyl, ethyl, 2-hydroxyethyl, benzyl, acetylmethyl or benzoylmethyl, with the proviso that no nitrogen atom contains more than one member of the group consisting of benzyl, acetylmethyl and benzoylmethyl, and no nitrogen atom contains more than two 2-hydroxyethyl groups, each R₁₂₇ is independently methyl or ethyl, each A.sup.⊖ is independently a non-chromophoric anion, and m is 0, 1 or 2, each a is independently 1 or 2, and each m' is independently 2 or 3, with the provisos that (i) the metal complex of formula IVg contains at least two basic water-solubilizing groups, (ii) at least one of R₆₀ and R_(61a) ' is other than nitro, (iii) R₆₀ is hydrogen when both R_(61a) ' and R_(62a) ' are hydrogen, (iv) R_(61a) ' and R_(62a) ' are different unless both are hydrogen, and (v) the A₅ "-bearing phenylazo group is ortho to A₁ '.
 25. A 1:2 metal complex according to claim 21 having the formula ##STR308## wherein each A₁ ' is independently --O-- or --NH--, each A₂ is independently --OH or --NH₂, each A₅ " is independently --O-- or --COO--, each R₆₀ is independently hydrogen or nitro, each R_(61a) is independently hydrogen, --NO₂, --CH₂ --Z₂, --SO₂ --NH--(CH₂)_(p) --Z₂, --SO₂ NH, --NH--CO--(CH₂)_(p) --Z₂, ##STR309## R_(62a) is independently hydrogen, --NO₂, --CH₂ --Z₂, --SO₂ --NH₂, --SO₂ --NH--(CH₂)_(p) --Z₂, --CO--NH--(CH₂)_(p) --Z₂, --NH--CO--(CH₂)_(p) --Z₂, ##STR310## each B₂ ' is independently, ##STR311## wherein X_(a) is a direct bond, ##STR312## wherein R_(13a) is chloro, --NHCH₂ CH₂ OH or --N(CH₂ CH₂ OH)₂, and and q is 1, 2, 3 or 4, each K₇ ' is independently ##STR313## wherein R_(9a) is methyl, ethyl or --CH₂ CH₂ --Z₂, R_(10a) is hydrogen, methyl, methoxy, acetamido or ureido, R₂₆ is hydrogen, halo, C₁₋₄ alkyl or C₁₋₄ alkoxy, R_(66a) is hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, i-propyl, n-butyl, i-butyl, 2-hydroxyethyl or --(CH₂)_(p) --Z₂, R₆₇ is --N(CH₃)₂ or --N.sup.⊕ (CH₃)₃ A.sup.⊖, R_(68a) is --(CH₂)_(p) --Z₂, --NH--(CH₂)_(p) --Z₂ or ##STR314## wherein R_(71a) is hydrogen, --OH, --OCH₃, --NH--CO--(CH₂)_(p) --Z₂, --CO--NH--(CH₂)_(p) --Z₂, --SO₂ --NH--(CH₂)_(p) --Z₂ or ##STR315## and R_(72a) is hydrogen or --(CH₂)_(p) --Z₂, R_(69a) is methyl, ethyl or --(CH₂)_(p) --Z₂, with the proviso that at least one of R_(68a) and R_(69a) contains at least one Z₂ group, Wa is --(CH₂)_(s) --, --NHCO--(CH₂)_(s) --*, --CONH--(CH₂)_(s) --* or --SO₂ NH--(CH₂)_(s) --*, wherein s is 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6 and the asterisk indicates the end attached to the Z₂ group, d' is 0 or 1, Me is chromium, iron or cobalt, and M.sup.⊕ is hydrogen or a monovalent non-chromophoric cation, wherein each Z₂ is independently ##STR316## wherein each R_(o) is independently methyl, ethyl, 2-hydroxyethyl, benzyl, acetylmethyl or benzoylmethyl, with the proviso that no nitrogen atom contains more than one member of the group consisting of benzyl, acetylmethyl and benzoylmethyl, and no nitrogen atom contains more than two 2-hydroxyethyl groups, each R₁₂₇ is independently methyl or ethyl, and m is 0, 1 or 2, each A.sup.⊖ is independently a non-chromophoric anion, and each p is independently 1, 2 or 3, with the proviso that (i) each metal-free dye of the 1:2 metal complex of formula IVi contains at least two basic water-solubilizing groups. (ii) at least one of R₆₀ and R_(61a) on the same ring is other than nitro, (iii) R₆₀ is hydrogen when both R_(61a) and R_(62a) on the same ring are hydrogen, (iv) R_(61a) and R_(62a) on the same ring are different unless both are hydrogen and (v) each A₅ "-bearing phenylazo group is ortho to A₁ '.
 26. A 1:2 metal complex according to claim 21 having the formula ##STR317## wherein each A₁ ' is independently --O-- or --NH--, each A₂ is independently --OH or --NH₂, each A₅ " is independently --O-- or --COO--, each R₆₀ is independently hydrogen or nitro, R_(61a) ' is independently hydrogen, nitro, --NH--CO--(CH₂)_(a) --Z₂ or ##STR318## R_(62a) ' is independently hydrogen, nitro, --SO₂ NH₂, --SO₂ N(CH₃)₂, --SO₂ N(C₂ H₅)₂, --SO₂ NH--CH₂ CH₂ OH, --CO--NH--(CH₂)_(m') --Z₂, --NH--CO--(CH₂)_(a) --Z₂ or ##STR319## with the proviso that R_(62a) ' may be --CO--NH--(CH₂)_(m') --Z₂, --NH--CO--(CH₂)_(a) --Z₂ or ##STR320## only when R₆₀ and R_(61a) ' on the same ring are both hydrogen, each R_(63a) is independently --SO₂ --NH--(CH₂)_(m') --Z₂, --CO--NH--(CH₂)_(m') --Z₂, --NH--CO--(CH₂)_(a) --Z₂, --CH₂ --Z₂ or ##STR321## each R_(64a) is independently hydrogen or methoxy, each R_(65a) is independently methyl, ethyl, methoxy or ethoxy, Me_(g) is cobalt, or iron or chromium M⊕ is hydrogen or a monovalent non-chromophoric cation, and each k is independently 1 or 2, with the proviso that k must be 2 when an R_(63a) on that ring is --CO--NH--(CH₂)_(m') Z₂, wherein each Z₂ is independently ##STR322## wherein each R_(o) is independently methyl, ethyl, 2-hydroxyethyl, benzyl, acetylmethyl or benzoylmethyl, with the proviso that no nitrogen atom contain more than one member of the group consisting of benzyl, acetylmethyl and benzoylmethyl, and no nitrogen atom contains more than two 2-hydroxyethyl groups, each R₁₂₇ is independently methyl or ethyl, each A.sup.⊖ is independently a non-chromophoric anion, and m is 0, 1 or 2, each a is independently 1 or 2, and each m' is independently 2 or 3, with the provisos that (i) each metal-free dye of the 1:2 metal complex of formula IV1 contains at least two basic water-solubilizing groups, (ii) at least one of R₆₀ and R_(61a) ' on the same ring is other than nitro, (iii) R₆₀ is hydrogen when both R_(61a) ' and R_(62a) ' on the same ring are hydrogen, (iv) R_(61a) ' and R_(62a) ' on the same ring are different unless both are hydrogen, and (v) each A₅ "-bearing phenylazo group is ortho to A₁ '.
 27. A metal complex according to claim 15 having the formula ##STR323## wherein each of R_(21b) and R_(22b) is independently hydrogen, nitro, --CH₂ --Z₃, --SO₂ NH₂, --NH--CO--CH₂ --Z₃, --SO₂ --NH--(CH₂)_(m') --Z₃ or ##STR324## R₂₄ " is hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, 2-hydroxyethyl or --(CH₂)_(m') --Z₃, and Me_(c) is copper, cobalt or chromium, wherein each Z₃ is independently ##STR325## wherein p is 1, 2 or 3, each A.sup.⊖ is independently a non-chromophoric anion, each d' is independently 0 or 1, and each m' is independently 2 or 3, with the provisos that (i) the complex contains at least two basic water-solubilizing groups, (ii) R_(21b) and R_(22b) are different or R_(21b) and R_(22b) are both hydrogen, and (iii) the --N═N-- radical attached to ring E is in the 3- or 4-position thereof.
 28. A metal complex according to claim 27 having the formula ##STR326## wherein each of R_(21c) and R_(22c) is independently hydrogen, nitro, --CH₂ --Z₅, --SO₂ NH₂, --NH--CO--CH₂ --Z₅, --SO₂ --NH--(CH₂)_(m') --Z₅ or ##STR327## wherein each Z₅ is independently --N(CH₃)₂, --N(C₂ H₅)₂, --N.sup.⊕ (CH₃)₃ A.sup.⊖ or ##STR328## and each m' is independently 2 or 3, and R₂₄ "' is hydrogen, 2-hydroxyethyl, --(CH₂)₃ --N(CH₃)₂, --(CH₂)₃ --N(C₂ H₅)₂ or --(CH₂)₃ --N.sup.⊕ (CH₃)₃ A.sup.⊖, wherein each A.sup.⊖ is independently a non-chromophoric anion, with the provisos that (i) the complex contains at least two basic water-solubilizing groups, (ii) R_(21c) and R_(22c) are different or R_(21c) and R_(22c) are both hydrogen, and (iii) the --N═N-- radical attached to ring E is in the 3- or 4-position thereof.
 29. A metal complex according to claim 28 wherein R_(21c) is hydrogen, R_(22c) is nitro, R₂₄ "' is --(CH₂)₃ --N(CH₃)₂, and the --N═N-- radical attached to ring E is in the 3-position thereof.
 30. The metal complex according to claim 29 wherein A.sup.⊖ is chloride.
 31. A metal complex according to claim 17 having the formula ##STR329## wherein each R_(21b) and R_(22b) is independently hydrogen, nitro, --CH₂ --Z₃, --SO₂ NH₂, --NH--CO--CH₂ --Z₃, --SO₂ --NH--(CH₂)_(m') --Z₃ or ##STR330## each T_(x) ' is independently ##STR331## wherein R₂₄ " is hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, 2-hydroxyethyl or --(CH₂)_(m') --Z₃, M.sup.⊕ is hydrogen or a non-chromophoric monovalent cation, and Me_(g) is chromium, iron or cobalt, wherein each Z₃ is independently ##STR332## wherein p is 1, 2 or 3, each A.sup.⊖ is independently a non-chromophoric anion, each d' is independently 0 or 1, and each m' is independently 2 or 3,with the provisos that (i) each metal-free disazo compound of the 1:2 metal complex contains at least two basic water-solubilizing groups, (ii) R_(21b) and R_(22b) on the same ring are different or R_(21b) and R_(22b) on the same ring are both hydrogen, and (iii) each --N═N-- radical attached to a ring E is in the 3- or 4-position thereof.
 32. A metal complex according to claim 31 having the formula ##STR333## wherein each R_(21c) and R_(22c) is independently hydrogen, nitro, --CH₂ --Z₅, --SO₂ NH₂, --NH--CO--CH₂ --Z₅, --SO₂ --NH--(CH₂)_(m') --Z₅ or ##STR334## wherein each Z₅ is independently --N(CH₃)₂, --N(C₂ H₅)₂, --N.sup.⊕ (CH₃)₃ A.sup.⊖ or ##STR335## and each m' is independently 2 3, each T_(x) " is independently ##STR336## wherein R₂₄ "' is hydrogen, 2-hydroxyethyl, --(CH₂)₃ --N(CH₃)₂, --(CH₂)₃ --N(C₂ H₅)₂ or --(CH₂)₃ --N.sup.⊕ (CH₃)₃ A.sup.⊖, M.sup.⊕ is hydrogen or a non-chromophoric monovalent cation, and Me_(g) is chromium, iron or cobalt, wherein each A.sup.⊖ is independently a non-chromophoric anion, with the provisos that (i) each metal-free disazo compound of the 1:2 metal complex contains at least two basic water-solubilizing groups, (ii) R_(21c) and R_(22c) on the same ring are different or R_(21c) and R_(22c) on the same ring are both hydrogen, and (iii) each --N═N-- radical attached to a ring E is in the 3- or 4-position thereof.
 33. A metal complex according to claim 32 wherein the two metal-free disazo compounds are identical.
 34. A metal complex according to claim 33 wherein each R_(21c) is hydrogen, each R_(22c) is nitro, each R₂₄ "' is --(CH₂)₃ --N(CH₃)₂, Me_(g) is chromium, and each --N═N-- radical attached to a ring E is in the 4-position thereof.
 35. The metal complex according to claim 33 wherein M.sup.⊕ is sodium, and each A.sup.⊖ is chloride.
 36. A metal complex according to claim 33 wherein each R_(21c) is hydrogen, each R_(22c) is nitro, each R₂₄ "' is --(CH₂)₃ --N(CH₃)₂, Me_(g) is iron, and each --N═N-- radical attached to a ring E is in the 4-position thereof.
 37. The metal complex according to claim 36 wherein M.sup.⊕ is sodium, and each A.sup.⊖ is chloride.
 38. A metal complex according to claim 33 wherein each R_(21c) is nitro, each R_(22c) is hydrogen, each R₂₄ "' is --(CH₂)₃ --N(CH₃)₂, Me_(g) is iron, and each --N═N-- radical attached to a ring E is in the 4-position thereof.
 39. The metal complex according to claim 38 wherein M.sup.⊕ is sodium, and each A.sup.⊖ is chloride.
 40. A metal complex according to claim 33 wherein each R_(21c) is nitro, each R_(22c) is hydrogen, each R₂₄ "' is --(CH₂)₃ --N(CH₃)₂, Me_(g) is chromium, and each --N═N-- radical attached to a ring E is in the 4-position thereof.
 41. The metal complex according to claim 40 wherein M.sup.⊕ is sodium, and each A.sup.⊖ is chloride.
 42. A metal complex according to claim 33 wherein each R_(21c) is nitro, each R_(22c) is hydrogen, each R₂₄ "' is --(CH₂)₃ --N(CH₃)₂, Me_(g) is iron, and each --N═N-- radical attached to a ring E is in the 3-position thereof.
 43. The metal complex according to claim 42 wherein M.sup.⊕ is sodium, and each A.sup.⊖ is chloride.
 44. A metal complex according to claim 33 wherein each R_(21c) is hydrogen, each R_(22c) is --SO₂ NH₂, each R₂₄ "' is --(CH₂)₃ --N(CH₃)₂, Me_(g) is iron, and each --N═N-- radical attached to a ring E is in the 3-position thereof.
 45. The metal complex according to claim 44 wherein M.sup.⊕ is sodium, and each A.sup.⊖ is chloride.
 46. A metal complex according to claim 26 wherein each A₁ ' is --O--, each A₂ is --OH, each A₅ " is --O--, each R_(61a) ' is independently hydrogen, nitro, --NH--CO--CH₂ --Z₃ or ##STR337## each R_(62a') is independently hydrogen, nitro, --SO₂ NH₂, --SO₂ N(CH₃)₂, --SO₂ --NH--(CH₂)_(m') --Z₃, --SO₂ --NH--C₂ H₄ OH, --CO--NH--(CH₂)_(m') --Z₃, --NH--CO--CH₂ --Z₃ or ##STR338## with the proviso that R_(62a) ' may be --CO--NH--(CH₂)_(m) '--Z₃, --NH--CO--CH₂ --Z₃ or ##STR339## only when R₆₀ and R_(61a) ' on the same ring are both hydrogen, each R_(65a) is independently methyl or methoxy, wherein each Z₃ is independently ##STR340## wherein p is 1, 2 or 3, d' is 0 or 1, and each A.sup.⊖ is independently a non-chromophoric anion, and each m' is independently 2 or
 3. 47. A metal complex according to claim 46 wherein the two metal-free trisazo compounds are identical.
 48. A metal complex according to claim 47 wherein each R₆₀ is hydrogen, each R_(61a) ' is hydrogen, each R_(62a) ' is --SO₂ NH₂, each R_(63a) is ##STR341## each R_(64a) is hydrogen, each R_(65a) is methyl, Me_(g) is iron, and each k is
 1. 49. A metal complex according to claim 48 wherein M.sup.⊕ is sodium.
 50. A metal complex according to claim 47 wherein each R₆₀ is hydrogen, each R_(61a) ' is hydrogen, each R_(62a) ' is --SO₂ NH₂ each R_(63a) is ##STR342## each R_(64a) is hydrogen, each R_(65a) is methoxy, Me_(g) is iron, and each k is
 1. 51. A metal complex according to claim 50 wherein M.sup.⊕ is sodium. 